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Toro Rosso pushing for Japanese driver on their F1-team

Toro Rosso pushing for Japanese driver on their F1-team

22-05-2018 17:07
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Nicolás Quarles van Ufford

Toro Rosso team principal Franz Tost has said that the team would want a Japanese driver on their team sooner rather than later, as their engine partner Honda would like to make the F1 more popular in Japan.

The Formula 2 currently has two Japanese drivers in Nirei Fukuzumi and Tadasuke Makino. Fukuzumi has been linked to a step up to Toro Rosso a few times already but up until now, it hasn't happened yet. With Brendon Hartley under a lot of pressure now for his seat at Toro Rosso, Fukuzumi could be making the promotion very soon.

"There's the link with Honda, of course," Tost told Motorsport.com.

"We'd like to have a Japanese driver sooner rather than later.

"It's up to him though, because he will have to perform well.

"In that case, we'll see what happens."

Masahi Yamamoto, racing director at Honda, added to Tost's comments by saying that the Formula 2 drivers are currently driving for their super license.

"It's important for Honda to make F1 popular again in Japan, and a Japanese driver could help us in that.

"The Formula 2 drivers are racing for a super licence now, and if we supply another team with engines, we'll have the possibility of putting a driver on that team."

Takuma Sato was a popular driver at the time, but it's been ten years since he graced the F1 with his presence.