TOKYO, Japan, February 9, 2018 -- Honda Motor Co., Ltd today announced that Tadasuke Makino, who competed in the FIA*1 Formula3 European Championship*2 in the 2017 season, will step up to the FIA Formula 2 Championship (F2)*3, recognized as one of the gateways to the FIA Formula One World Championship (F1), and compete for a full 2018 season for the Russian Time race team.
Honda will continue supporting Makino as part of the Honda Formula Dream Project (HFDP), a program designed to help the step up process of young drivers to play active roles in the world of motorsports.
- *1FIA: Fédération Internationale de l’Automobil
- *2The F3 Series races being held in Europe. This category has been producing some F1 drivers.
- *3The F2 is positioned as a gateway to F1. F2 Series races are held mostly in Europe as support races for F1.
◼Comment by Tadasuke Makino:
“Ever since I started kart racing at age 5, my goal has always been to compete at the top of the world. I am very pleased to be able to take another step closer to my dream. I am looking forward to taking on new challenges with Russian Time, the 2017 championship team. I will do my very best to race in a way that lives up to the expectations of my fans and everyone who has supported me to this day.”
◼Profile of Tadasuke Makino
Date of Birth: June 28, 1997 (20 years old)
Place of Birth: Osaka, Japan
Height: 177 cm
Weight: 64 kg
＜Career highlights＞
2014:
‐Champion of the JAF Regional Super-FJ Okayama Series
‐Champion of the JAF Super-FJ Japan National Championship
2015:
‐2nd in the FIA-F4 Japanese Championship/series ranking
‐Earned scholarship from the Suzuka Circuit Racing School-Formula
2016:
‐5th in the Japanese Formula 3 Championship/series ranking
‐Made debut at Super GT Round 6, International SUZUKA 1000km GT300 class
‐2nd in the Super GT Round 7, Buriram Super GT Race GT 500 class
2017:
‐15th in the FIA Formula3 European Championship/series ranking