2
Nobuharu Matsushita will take part in his first official Formula 1 test, driving the Sauber C36 on the second day of running at Hungary next week. The Honda backed racer currently competes in Formula 2, sitting seventh in the standings with one win and a further podium.
Sauber will run with Honda engines in 2018 and Matsushita has been linked to a full-time drive next year. However, one major setback is that he is yet to acquire his super licence. Nevertheless, the 23-year-old will get a day long run in an F1 car, taking over services from Gustav Malija who will drive the car on the Tuesday.
"When I was four years old, I was fascinated by Michael Schumacher, watching him racing in Formula 1," said Matsushita. "Since then my dream was to become a Formula 1 driver. I am very excited about my first Formula 1 test.
I am really looking forward to driving the Sauber C36-Ferrari at the Hungaroring – it is a great opportunity for me. I hope it will be a productive day for the team as well as for myself, so that I can learn as much as possible. I would like to thank Sauber for making this happen."
New Sauber team principal Fred Vasseur added: "I am pleased that Nobuharu has this great opportunity. He deserves the experience of his first test in a Formula 1 car.
"Ever since his debut in Formula 2 with ART Grand Prix, I have been following his progress closely, and have watched him advance his performance from year to year. With this Formula 1 test, he comes one step closer to his dream of becoming an F1 driver one day."
Fergal Walsh
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
Bahrain
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
1 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Nobuharu Matsushita 3,088 comments on ART 0 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about ART
G. Zhou
Replies (2)
Login to replyBarron
Posts: 625
Well, that makes it pretty certain that Honda will be powering Sauber next year. Or will they? In F1, believe nothing you hear and only half what you see...
f1fan0101
Posts: 1,804
Interesting.. maybe the Honda deal is not off