Sauber confirm Matsushita for Hungary test

  • Published on 24 Jul 2017 11:38
  • comments 2
  • By: Fergal Walsh

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

Replies (2)

Login to reply
  • Barron

    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...

    • + 0
    • Jul 24 2017 - 11:45
  • Interesting.. maybe the Honda deal is not off

    • + 0
    • Jul 24 2017 - 13:40

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2023

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
3 - Mar 5
Bahrain
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia
31 - Apr 2
Australia
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan
5 - May 7
United States of America
19 - May 21
Italy
26 - May 28
Monaco
2 - Jun 4
Spain
16 - Jun 18
Canada
30 - Jul 2
Austria
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom
21 - Jul 23
Hungary
28 - Jul 30
Belgium
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands
1 - Sep 3
Italy
15 - Sep 17
Singapore
22 - Sep 24
Japan
20 - Oct 22
United States of America
27 - Oct 29
Mexico
3 - Nov 5
Brazil
17 - Nov 19
United States of America
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2023

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
3 - Mar 5
17 - Mar 19
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
31 - Apr 2
Australia Albert Park
28 - Apr 30
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
5 - May 7
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
19 - May 21
26 - May 28
Monaco Monte Carlo
2 - Jun 4
16 - Jun 18
30 - Jul 2
Austria Red Bull Ring
7 - Jul 9
United Kingdom Silverstone
21 - Jul 23
Hungary Hungaroring
28 - Jul 30
25 - Aug 27
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
1 - Sep 3
Italy Monza
15 - Sep 17
22 - Sep 24
20 - Oct 22
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
27 - Oct 29
3 - Nov 5
Brazil Interlagos
17 - Nov 19
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
24 - Nov 26
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country JP
  • Date of b. Oct 13 1993 (29)
  • Place of b. Tokyo, JP
  • Weight 63 kg
  • Length 1.71 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar