Red Bull junior Iwasa gets 2024 Mugen Super Formula seat
Red Bull junior and Formula 2 racer Ayumu Iwasa will join Team Mugen in Super Formula next season, Honda has confirmed.
Photo by: Red Bull Content Pool
As previously reported by 44894.com, Iwasa will partner two-time champion Tomoki Nojiri at Mugen next season, taking over the seat vacated by Liam Lawson.
Additionally, it was announced that the 22-year-old Japanese driver will get his first taste of Formula 1 machinery with AlphaTauri in the post-season test to be held after this weekend's Abu Dhabi finale.
"I'm happy to be able to race in Super Formula for Team Mugen next season," commented Iwasa. "I'm really excited to be able compete as a member of such an experienced team and alongside Nojiri, who has experience of winning titles.
"In order to realise my dream of racing in the world's highest category, I'll aim for victories and the championship while learning from Nojiri's strength and speed in each race."
Iwasa has spent the past two seasons racing in F2 with DAMS, scoring five victories in that time, and is third in the standings with just this weekend's Abu Dhabi season finale left on the schedule.
Prior to that, he raced in FIA F3 and French F4, meaning that the 2024 season will be his first full season of car racing in Japan.
"The Super Formula car is faster than F2, which is interesting for me," Iwasa said in an interview with 44894.com's Japanese edition. "I also heard from people like Liam [Lawson] that the way of working in the team and the approach towards the weekend is different.
"I will have to adjust to that, and I feel like my abilities as a driver will be tested. I'm also aware that because I am aiming to step up to F1, I have to achieve results immediately.
"Of course it won't be easy, the level of the series is high, but if I don't see it through until the end, then there's no future for me. So I am very motivated."
Iwasa heads into this weekend's F2 finale with a slim mathematical chance of becoming champion, as he sits 39 points behind series leader Theo Pourchaire with the same number of points on offer across the final two races.
Pourchaire is likewise expected to join Super Formula in 2024, with Toyota squad Team Impul looking likely to be his destination.
Be part of 44894.community
Join the conversationShare Or Save This Story
Yamamoto 'never imagined' scoring podium on injury comeback in Super Formula
Pourchaire “worried” for Super Formula prospects after nightmare debut
How Cassidy emerged triumphant from "mayhem" in Portland FE slow-burner
Red Bull junior Iwasa to contest F1 Japan FP1 for RB
The next F1 hopefuls hoping to follow Lawson's footsteps in Japan
Red Bull junior Iwasa initially saw Super Formula as 'negative' move
Nojiri takes heart from Alonso after Super Formula title defeat
Five moments that swung Super Formula battle away from Lawson
Lawson admits he lacked consistency for Super Formula title
Williams in talks with Newey about F1 reunion
Alpine's 2024 F1 car finally hits minimum weight limit
Evans: 2025 WRC Rally1 prototype “not so exciting” after first test
Russell: Mercedes won't be burned by "reaching for the stars" again
Subscribe and access 44894.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.
Top Comments