Naoki Yamamoto experienced his first laps inside a Formula 1 car during an official practice session on Friday, but Christian Horner confirms he's not in the pipeline for a future Formula 1 seat at either Aston Martin Red Bull Racing or Toro Rosso.
The 31-year-old Japanese driver replaced Pierre Gasly in Friday's opening practice session around his home circuit Suzuka. On the softer compound tyres, he finished just a tenth slower than Daniil Kvyat did in the same car.
Red Bull Racing boss horner dished out the praise to Yamamoto but confirms he's not in the picture for a future Formula 1 seat.
“He’s done a very good job for his first session in a Formula 1 car. I think he acquitted himself extremely well. He’s had a very successful career racing over here and with Jenson [Button] in the GTs," Horner told Sky Sports.
“It’s a circuit he knows extremely well, he’s had a very successful career racing over here with Jenson in the GTs. He doesn’t fit the criteria [for a race seat at Red Bull or Toro Rosso] at the moment, but he’s certainly worth giving a run and having a look at today.”
Yamamoto has been racing in the Super Formula since 2010 and is the reigning champion. He's looking to defend his title going into the final round of the series in Suzuka at the end of October. He also won the Super GT title with Button.