Red Bull lets Japanese driver make debut in Verstappen's car

Max Verstappen is on his way to Japan for the annual Honda Thanks Day. At the Mobility Resort Motegi circuit, the world champion - who took his three titles with a Honda engine in the back of his Red Bull - will be cheered on by thousands of Japanese (including Honda employees). It is still unclear whether Verstappen will also give a demonstration, but a Red Bull F1 car will hit the track anyway.

Indeed, two-time Super Formula champion Tomoki Nojiri will be given the chance by Red Bull to do some laps in the RB16b, the car in which Max Verstappen won his first Formula 1 world title in 2021. With this, Honda wants to give the Japanese driver a reward for his successful career, which he has in Super Formula as well as GT. Nojiri was never able to start an F1 adventure.

野尻智紀選手がF1マシンRB16Bを
岩佐歩夢選手がSUPER FORMULA SF23を
ドライブする夢のコラボランが決定！

＼Red Bull Racing Honda RB16B
×TEAM MUGEN SF23 Special Collaboration／
2024年はTEAM MUGENでチームメイトになる2人… pic.twitter.com/JceynZz6VE

— Honda Racing (@HondaJP_Live) December 2, 2023