GP3 Series champions ART Grand Prix have announced the signing of the Honda-backed Nirei Fukuzumi ahead of the upcoming season.
The 19 year old Japanese driver took part in the post-season test at Yas Marina with the team and over the two days impressed the team bosses with how quickly he was able to adapt to his new environment, with Fukuzumi happy to compete in the compettiive GP3 Series in 2016.
“I am very excited to race in GP3 Series with ART Grand Prix,” commented Fukuzumi. “I think it will be a challenging year for me in a new environment and with a lot to learn but I will do what I can to get the best possible result at every race.
“I am very thankful to Honda and ART Grand Prix for giving me this great opportunity in GP3 and I am looking forward to all the new experiences.”
Fukuzumi began his single seater career in 2014, having raced in the CIK-FIA go-karting championship since 2012. He joined the Japanese F3 Championship in 2015 where he finished fourth overall – claiming two wins, while now under the wing of the reigning GP3 champions, Fukuzumi will be aiming for stronger results in 2016.
This signing for ART highlights their ambition to maintain the ART/Honda/McLaren partnership and by signing a Japanese driver to not just their GP3 team but also their GP2 Series squad it reinforces this notion.
