Japanese drivers try to break through in Formula 1 but face linguistic and geographical barriers
About two dozen Japanese drivers have raced in Formula 1 over almost 50 years, and success has been limited
SUZUKA, Japan (AP) — About two dozen Japanese drivers have raced in Formula 1 over almost 50 years, and success has been limited. A Japanese driver has never won an F1 race, which means Ayumu Iwasa's goals are unbelievably high.
“I want to be in an F1 seat as a regular driver, and also be world champion,” the 22-year-old Iwasa said Friday after driving a single practice session for the RB team. “For sure it's not easy."
Iwasa was given the chance to perform before the home crowd in Japan, partly because of his nationality, his talent, and because Honda — which powers the RB team, formerly known as AlphaTauri, and its parent team Red Bull — also runs the Suzuka circuit.
He was filling in for Daniel Ricciardo, who is off to a slow start this season but will drive in Saturday qualifying and the race on Sunday when Red Bull's Max Verstappen will be the favorite after going out on the fourth lap in Australia two weeks ago.
