Sixteen-year-old New Zealander Sebastian Manson is one of three drivers selected to compete in the 2024 Formula Regional Japanese Championship in the new G Force Driver Development Program.
Manson, along with Australian Jesse Lacey and Switzerland’s Michael Sauter, will partake in the season-long program “aimed at nurturing junior drivers to hone their talents as racing drivers and step up to a higher level of international racing stage.”
The three drivers will be split across two teams, with Masaru Okazawa taking the helm as program supervisor. Okazawa was previously a mechanic for the renowned outfit Team Goh and has extensive experience in numerous international races, including the Le Mans 24 Hours, Super GT and Super Formula.
Le Mans-winning driver and current Super GT competitor Seiji Ara will conduct driver coaching, while renowned Japanese racecar designer and engineer Hiroshi Yuchi will serve as Chief Engineer.
Manson and Sauter will drive for Birth Racing Project, while Lacey will compete for Bionic Jack Racing.
“I am extremely excited for the amazing opportunity that has been presented,” said Manson. “Japan has always been a country I have wanted to experience. I believe they have some of the best tracks in the world. I can’t wait to compete in Formula Regional Japan. This will be the highlight of my career so far. I’m looking forward to embarking on it and working with G Force Engineering.”
Having only turned 16 earlier this month, Manson made his Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Championship debut last weekend at Ruapuna. He impressed by qualifying 12th for the Lady Wigram Trophy race, the same place he finished.
Earlier that afternoon, he came home 11th in his debut outing, having started from the rear of the grid.
He will compete in this weekend’s New Zealand Grand Prix at Highlands Motorsport Park before flying to Japan with M2 Competition’s Mark Pilcher for testing.
“We fly out of Queenstown the minute the chequered flag drops at the GP,” said Pilcher.
“From our side, we’re super grateful to the staff at G Force Engineering and the Formula Regional Japanese Championship for making it happen.”
Manson has also been a front-running Formula Ford competitor for several seasons and is currently locked in a fierce battle for the New Zealand and South Island titles.
Pre-season testing begins on February 21 at Suzuka before the championship gets underway at the same venue with three races over March 9-10.
Header Image: Bruce Jenkins
