Super Formula post-season testing takes place this Wednesday and Thursday at Suzuka with a couple of familiar faces on the entry list, including rising New Zealand star Liam Lawson.
It’s been no secret that this is the expected destination of the 20-year-old next year, after comments made by junior team boss Helmut Marko indicated so, but Red Bull have been typically tight-lipped on the decision.
Monday’s release of the post-season testing schedule seems to all but confirm this, Lawson taking to the iconic circuit in Mugen’s Dallara SF19.
Red Bull are rejoining the Honda-powered outfit after a difficult year with Team Goh this year where they finished seventh in the team standings. Mugen, however, have brought them great success in past with drivers including Pierre Gasly, Patto O’Ward and Dan Ticktum using the program for development in their early career.
Lawson is expected to replace Ukyo Sasahara in the series as the driver appears set to switch to the rival Toyota-powered TOM’S outfit.
Whilst this is also yet to be confirmed, Sashara is included in TOM’S’ post-season test lineup, albeit for just one day.
Reigning champion Tomoki Nojiri will sit out the test meaning Mugen are only operating their #15 run by Lawson.
Another rookie joining testing is the Kiwi’s long-time rival Igor Fraga. The Brazilian is familiar in the New Zealand scene for his victory of the 2020 Toyota Racing Series. He’s also yet to be announced as a full-time driver but will test both Super Formula and Super Formula Lights.
Fraga and Lawson were locked in battle all season then in both the TRS and, in Europe, Formula 3. Just six points separated the pair in the TRS whilst Lawson was far superior in F3 as he built towards F2 the year after.
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