Super Formula
Honda's 2023 line-up taking shape, Oyu set for new team
Honda’s Super Formula driver roster for the 2023 season appears to be taking shape, but some key questions remain unresolved ahead of next week’s post-season rookie test at Suzuka.
Jamie Klein
Edited: Nov 29, 2022, 11:32 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
The main unknown at this stage concerns the future of Toshiki Oyu, who looks set to make a surprise switch away from his current team Nakajima Racing.
Oyu, who has been part of the Nakajima stable since he made his debut in Japan’s top single-seater series in 2020, is known to have been angling for a change of scenery after two seasons sharing a garage with three-time champion Naoki Yamamoto.
It’s believed the 24-year-old had identified Team Goh as his preferred destination, but the uncertainty surrounding the team’s future in the wake of the loss of its Red Bull deal has cast serious doubt on whether such a move would be viable.
A second, international driver with major financial backing would be needed to join Oyu to keep Team Goh’s doors open, and even then it remains unclear who could fill the breach at such short notice.
The second seat at Dandelion Racing alongside Tadasuke Makino appears the most obvious fallback option for Oyu in the event the Team Goh plan fails, with Hiroki Otsu having underperformed this year.
Sato granted late reprieve
What has become clear is that Rookie of the Year Ren Sato is now poised to replace Oyu and join Yamamoto in a refreshed line-up at Nakajima.
Read Also:
Sato had looked like he could miss out on a 2023 berth altogether after a promising but inconsistent rookie campaign at Team Goh this year, but movement elsewhere means he looks to have been granted a late reprieve.
As previously reported, Team Mugen's line-up has been fixed for some time with Red Bull junior Liam Lawson replacing Ukyo Sasahara as teammate to reigning two-time series champion Tomoki Nojiri.
B-Max Racing meanwhile looks set to continue with Nobuharu Matsushita, with HPD scholarship winner Raoul Hyman poised to join him in an expanded two-car line-up, while Nirei Fukuzumi will keep his seat at the one-car Drago Corse outfit.
Otsu’s fate appears to hinge on what happens to Oyu and Team Goh, while Sasahara likewise doesn’t have a place on the Honda roster as things stand.
Honda is expected to announce its line-ups in Super Formula in the days following the post-season rookie test on December 7-8.
Read Also:
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Did Sato do enough in Super Formula to avoid Red Bull axe?
Next article Super Formula calendar set at nine races for 2023
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jamie Klein
Super Formula Fuji: Ayumu Iwasa wins as Kakunoshin Ohta misses chance to seal title
Super Formula
Super Formula
Fuji II
1 mo
Super Formula Fuji: Ayumu Iwasa wins as Kakunoshin Ohta misses chance to seal title
Super Formula Fuji: Igor Fraga wins while Kakunoshin Ohta closes on title
Super Formula
Super Formula
Fuji II
1 mo
Super Formula Fuji: Igor Fraga wins while Kakunoshin Ohta closes on title
More from
Toshiki Oyu
"Mixed feelings" for Nojiri after inheriting Sugo SUPER GT win
Super GT
Super GT
Sugo
Sep 18, 2023
"Mixed feelings" for Nojiri after inheriting Sugo SUPER GT win
Sugo SUPER GT: ARTA Honda's Oyu pips Quintarelli to pole
Super GT
Super GT
Sugo
Sep 16, 2023
Sugo SUPER GT: ARTA Honda's Oyu pips Quintarelli to pole
Super Formula racers impressed by IndyCar, NASCAR on Indy visit
Super Formula
Super Formula Aug 18, 2023
Super Formula racers impressed by IndyCar, NASCAR on Indy visit
More from
Nakajima Racing
Kvyat in line for surprise Super Formula test chance
Super Formula
Super Formula Oct 11, 2023
Kvyat in line for surprise Super Formula test chance
Dunlop: We don’t need more testing, we need more cars
Super GT
Super GT Oct 10, 2023
Dunlop: We don’t need more testing, we need more cars
Yamamoto to miss final Super Formula, SUPER GT races after Sugo crash
Super GT
Super GT
Sugo
Sep 26, 2023
Yamamoto to miss final Super Formula, SUPER GT races after Sugo crash
Latest news
Chase Elliott's car chief leaves Hendrick for NASCAR Truck crew chief role
NASCAR Truck
NSTR NASCAR Truck
Homestead
38 min
Chase Elliott's car chief leaves Hendrick for NASCAR Truck crew chief role
“I was getting beat up” – How Daniel Ricciardo burned out on ‘humiliating’ F1 return
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 4 h
“I was getting beat up” – How Daniel Ricciardo burned out on ‘humiliating’ F1 return
Myers Riley Motorsports adds Andretti alongside returning Fraga for 2027 IMSA GTD campaign
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 5 h
Myers Riley Motorsports adds Andretti alongside returning Fraga for 2027 IMSA GTD campaign
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe