Mr. Koji Watanabe, President and Representative Director of Honda Racing
On December 12, Honda Racing (HRC) announced its participation structure in the 2024 season SUPER GT GT500 class and All Japan Super Formula Championship.
In SUPER GT, Ren Sato and Riki Okusa will newly participate in the GT500 class, and in Super Formula, Ayumu Iwasa and Iori Kimura will participate, and both SUPER GT and Super Formula categories will feature young drivers. We will continue to challenge ourselves to win the championship on the highest stage.
On the same day, Yasuharu Watanabe, President and CEO of HRC, held an online press conference and said, “Next year’s Honda team will continue to take on further challenges in both SUPER GT and Super Formula, while also boldly appointing young people. “We will aim for the top in both formula races,” he said with enthusiasm.
SUPER GT GT500 class
In the SUPER GT GT500 class, Honda will introduce a new vehicle, the CIVIC TYPE R GT, aiming to regain the championship for the first time in four years. The driver lineup is as follows.
ARTA
Car No. 8: Tomoki Nojiri/Shinji Matsushita
Car No. 16: Hiroki Otsu/Ren Sato
Astemo REAL RACING
Car No. 17: Kodai Tsukagoshi/Kakunoshin Ota
STANLEY TEAM KUNIMITSU
Car No. 100: Naoki Yamamoto/Ninyu Makino
Modulo Nakajima Racing
Car No. 64: Takuya Izawa/Riki Okusa
All Japan Super Formula Championship (SUPER FORMULA)
In the Super Formula as well, he is aiming to reach the top in order to avenge his loss in 2023, when he missed out on the drivers’ championship.
TEAM MUGEN
Car No. 16: Tomoki Nojiri
Car No. 15: Ayumu Iwasa
DOCOMO TEAM DANDELION RACING
Car No. 5: Makino Nisuke
Car No. 6: Kakunoshin Ota
PONOS NAKAJIMA RACING
Car No. 64: Naoki Yamamoto
Car No. 65: Ren Sato
TGM Grand Prix
Car No. 53: TBA
Car No. 55: TBA
ThreeBond Racing
Car No. 12: TBA
B-Max Racing Team
Car No. 50: Iori Kimura
Young drivers appointed for both SUPER GT and Super Formula
Regarding the lineup of drivers in the GT500 class, Mr. Watanabe said, “This time, we are giving especially young drivers a chance, teaming up with experienced drivers, and aiming for the championship.We have newly added Ren Sato. will be participating in the GT500 class with ARTA and Riki Okusa with Modulo Nakajima Racing. Riki Okusa, a graduate of Honda Racing School Suzuka, has been active in the final round of Super Formula this year. , I decided to seize the opportunity and join the Honda team as a GT500 driver.”
Regarding Super Formula drivers, Mr. Watanabe said, “Ayumu Iwasa, who achieved 4th place in the FIA-F2 Championship this year, is aiming for F1 as a training driver for the HFDP Honda Formula Dream Project and Red Bull’s junior team. This year, Iori Kimura, who won the championship in the Super Formula Lights, will compete in the Super Formula for the Be-Max Racing Team on a stepped-up stage.This year’s We are looking forward to the continued success of Kakunoshin Ota of Docomo Team Dandelion, who won his first victory in the final race as a rookie.”
Mr. Watanabe continued, “Tomoki Nojiri, who won the championship twice in 2021 and 2022, has signed a multi-year contract with Team Mugen. Mr. Nojiri will continue to work with Honda for the next two years. This is an expression of our hope that he will continue to excel as the ace of the world.In addition, Naoki Yamamoto, who is recovering from an injury sustained during this year’s race, is expected to continue his success in Super Formula and SUPER GT next season. I have high hopes for him and hope that he recovers from his injury as soon as possible.”
2023-12-12 10:09:20
#Honda #announces #SUPER #Super #Formula #participation #structure #Car #Watch
