Alpha Tauri surprises with another Japanese driver in the Young Driver Test

AlphaTauri surprises with another Japanese person

Honda have been dreaming for years of bringing back a Japanese driver to Formula 1 and with Tsunoda that dream finally seems to be on course to come true in 2021. 

With Marino Sato, Red Bull have chosen a rather unknown Japanese driver, who also has not much on his list of honours. Sato won the Euro Formula Open Championship in 2019, but only scored a single point in 20 Formula 2 races. Also in Formula 3, Sato remained without a podium, pole or victory in 2017 and 2018.

Sato extremely happy

''I am extremely happy to be given this opportunity from AlphaTauri to drive an F1 car. We will try to do as many laps as possible to get used to the car quickly and to learn maximum out of it for whatever it comes in future. Obviously to be driving an F1 car is the dream of every racing driver, for sure I will enjoy a lot around Abu Dhabi," said Sato in AlphaTauri's press release.

''We are pleased to have Marino Sato on board for the test because he did a solid job throughout the season in F2 this year, so he deserves a run in Formula One. We are convinced he can do a good job as he is a skilled driver. The plan for the test is simple, getting him to do as many laps as possible to give him a good feeling for an F1 car," Tost concluded.