In 2023, Red Bull Racing reserve driver Liam Lawson will continue his career in the Japanese Super Formula racing series. The New Zealander will not be the first to try to find his way to Formula 1 via Japan after competing in junior series in Europe.
The first to be offered a place in Formula 1 after competing in Japanese Formula 2 (as Super Formula was then known) was Ivan Capelli, who was contracted for the 1987 season until March.
Emanuele Pirro was next to move up to Formula 1 after a year in Japan, followed by Satoru Nakajima and Aguri Suzuki, who enjoyed Honda’s backing.
In the early 1990s, many young European racers headed to Japan in hopes of attracting the attention of Formula 1 teams. The plan worked for Johnny Herbert, Mika Salo and Eddie Irvine.
The Japanese series was not without riders with the Schumacher surname. If Michael spent only one race on the podium in Sugo, then his younger brother Ralph won the title in the renamed Formula Nippon, beating rivals such as Tom Christensen, Pedro de la Rosa and Tora Takagi.
In recent years, Stoffel Vandorn, Pierre Gasly and Alex Palou have made a name for themselves in Super Formula. In 2023, Liam Lawson will try to add his name to this list – success will seriously increase his chances of a spot in AlphaTauri in 2024.
Source: F1 News
I am Christopher Clyde, an experienced journalist and content writer with a passion for sports. I have been writing about Formula 1 news for the past five years and am currently employed as an author at athletistic.com, one of the top sports websites in the US.
