Nobuharu Matsushita will remain with ART Grand Prix for the 2016 GP2 Series Championship after an impressive debut year last season in which the Honda Protégé partnered title winner, Stoffel Vandoorne.
“I would like to thank Honda and ART Grand Prix for giving me this opportunity to continue racing in GP2 Series,” said Matsushita. “ART Grand Prix won the championships last year and I am so honoured to be part of such an amazing team again.”
The 22-year-old from Japan claimed three podium positions in 2015, including a win during the Hungarian Grand Prix Sprint Race, helping the ART Grand Prix team take the Constructors Championship last season.
“As a member of HFDP [Honda Formula Dream Project] aiming to be the top-world-class driver, I will give my best to win the drivers and the team championship in my second GP2 season,” continued Matsushita.
ART Grand Prix Team Manager, Sébastian Philippe said: “…I am truly delighted to start our 3rd year of partnership together with Honda, with this reinforcement of our collaboration. Nobuharu will partner Sergey Sirotkin in the GP2 Series.
He had an incredible year in 2015 when he did not know Europe or the championship, the team and the car, but nevertheless he secured one win, several podiums and made massive improvements all year long.”
The French based team won the Constructors Championship and Drivers Championship ahead of Racing Engineering and DAMS.
“As a driver and on a personal level, we have no doubt at all that he has all the assets needed to fight for the title in 2016,” continued Philippe.
The first pre-season test for the GP2 Series gets underway March 9th at the Circuit de Catalunya, closely followed by a second test beginning March 29th at the Circuit de Jerez.
