Customise Consent Preferences

We use cookies to help you navigate efficiently and perform certain functions. You will find detailed information about all cookies under each consent category below.

The cookies that are categorized as "Necessary" are stored on your browser as they are essential for enabling the basic functionalities of the site. ... 

Always Active

Necessary cookies are required to enable the basic features of this site, such as providing secure log-in or adjusting your consent preferences. These cookies do not store any personally identifiable data.

No cookies to display.

Functional cookies help perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collecting feedback, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics such as the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with customized advertisements based on the pages you visited previously and to analyze the effectiveness of the ad campaigns.

No cookies to display.

Home Formula 1 Nobuharu Matsushita gets McLaren F1 role

Nobuharu Matsushita gets McLaren F1 role

by Peter Allen

Nobuharu Matsushita

Honda-supported GP2 driver Nobuharu Matsushita has secured a role with the McLaren Formula 1 team.

The 22-year-old has become a test and development driver, focussing on “simulator support and engineering work”.

He joins his 2015 team-mate Stoffel Vandoorne as part of the McLaren setup, with the GP2 champion now reserve driver.

Matushista arrived in GP2 last year thanks to the McLaren-Honda tie-up and a relationship with ART Grand Prix, after winning the Japanese Formula 3 title in 2014.

He won a race and finished ninth in his rookie GP2 season, and will stay with ART for a second season in 2016.

?This season I am ecstatic to be joining the McLaren-Honda F1 team as a test and development driver,? he said.

?To step into the world of Formula 1 fulfils a boyhood dream, and is a huge step forward in my career.

“I will do the utmost to help the race team on the track, by gathering data to feed back into the development and set-up of the car through simulator work.

?Last year?s GP2 Series season was a steep learning curve for me. It was my first year racing in Europe ? but, thankfully, my experiences with Honda?s young driver programme meant I was well prepared for the task ahead.

?As a GP2 Series driver, my sole focus for 2016 is to win the championship. I believe that I have the best package around me to succeed and reach my ultimate goal of becoming a Formula 1 driver.?

McLaren’s racing director Eric Boullier added: ?Nobu?s first season racing in Europe showed great promise ? he produced some extremely impressive performances, and with experience and consistency, will surely build on that potential in 2016.

“His position as a McLaren-Honda test and development driver will be extremely important ? he?ll underline and corroborate the learning we acquire at the track, and will play a key role in improving our performance throughout 2016.?