Jump to content

Formula One drivers from Japan: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→Current drivers: i fixed the typo on the word "remained".
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit
 
(44 intermediate revisions by 21 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|List of Formula One drivers who competed as Japanese}}
{{dmy|date=December 2020}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2021}}
{{Infobox F1 nationality
{{Infobox F1 nationality
|title = {{PAGENAME}}
|title = Formula One drivers from Japan
| image = Flag of Japan.svg
| image = Flag of Japan.svg
| caption =
| caption =
|image_size =
|image_size =
|Drivers = [[:Category:Japanese Formula One drivers|20]]
|Drivers = [[:Category:Japanese Formula One drivers|21]]
|Grands Prix = {{#expr:412+{{f1stat|TSU|entries}}}}
|Grands Prix = {{sum|412|{{f1stat|TSU|entries}}}}
|Entries = {{#expr:593+{{f1stat|TSU|entries}}}}
|Entries = {{sum|593|{{f1stat|TSU|entries}}}}
|Starts = {{#expr:554+{{f1stat|TSU|starts}}}}
|Starts = {{sum|554|{{f1stat|TSU|starts}}}}
|Highest season finish = 8th ({{F1|2004}})
|Highest season finish = 8th ({{F1|2004}})
|Wins = {{f1stat|TSU|wins}}
|Wins = {{f1stat|TSU|wins}}
|Podiums = {{#expr:3+{{f1stat|TSU|podiums}}}}
|Podiums = {{sum|3|{{f1stat|TSU|podiums}}}}
|Pole positions = {{f1stat|TSU|poles}}
|Pole positions = {{f1stat|TSU|poles}}
|Fastest laps = {{#expr:2+{{f1stat|TSU|fastestlaps}}}}
|Fastest laps = {{sum|2|{{f1stat|TSU|fastestlaps}}}}
|Points = {{#expr:125+{{f1stat|TSU|careerpoints}}}}
|Points = {{sum|125|{{f1stat|TSU|careerpoints}}}}
|First entry = [[1975 Dutch Grand Prix]]
|First entry = [[1975 Dutch Grand Prix]]
|First win =
|First win =
|Last win =
|Last win =
|Last entry = [[2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix]] <!--{{Latest F1GP}}-->
|Last entry = {{Latest F1GP}}
|2021 = [[Yuki Tsunoda]]
|2025 = [[Yuki Tsunoda]]
|2024 = [[Yuki Tsunoda]]
}}
}}
There has been a total of 20 '''Formula One drivers from Japan''', of whom 17 took part in a race, with varying degrees of success.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/10/22/a-history-of-japanese-f1-drivers-part-1/|title=A history of Japanese F1 drivers (Part 1)|date=22 October 2008|access-date=29 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/10/23/a-history-of-japanese-f1-drivers-part-2/|title=A history of Japanese F1 drivers (Part 2)|date=23 October 2008|access-date=29 December 2015}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/japan/pilote.aspx|title=Japan - Drivers |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref><ref name=":0" />
There has been a total of 21 '''Formula One drivers from Japan''', of whom 18 took part in a race, with varying degrees of success.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/10/22/a-history-of-japanese-f1-drivers-part-1/|title=A history of Japanese F1 drivers (Part 1)|date=22 October 2008|access-date=29 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.f1fanatic.co.uk/2008/10/23/a-history-of-japanese-f1-drivers-part-2/|title=A history of Japanese F1 drivers (Part 2)|date=23 October 2008|access-date=29 December 2015}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/japan/pilote.aspx|title=Japan - Drivers |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref><ref name=":0" />


== Future drivers ==
== Current drivers ==
[[File:FIA F1 Austria 2023 Nr. 22 (2).jpg|thumb|right|Tsunoda driving for [[Scuderia AlphaTauri|AlphaTauri]] at the [[2023 Austrian Grand Prix]]]]
[[Yuki Tsunoda]] is due to race in {{F1|2021}} for [[Scuderia AlphaTauri|AlphaTauri]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=16 December 2020|title=Tsunoda to make F1 racing debut with AlphaTauri in 2021, in place of Kvyat|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.breaking-tsunoda-to-make-f1-racing-debut-with-alphatauri-in-2021-in-place-of.2AeT7L7KrbDKmIxvXgYrp4.html|url-status=live|access-date=16 December 2020|website=Formula1.com}}</ref>
[[Yuki Tsunoda]] drove for [[Scuderia AlphaTauri|AlphaTauri]] when he joined Formula One in 2021 and remained with the team when they became [[RB Formula One Team|RB]] in 2024. Tsunoda is contracted to stay at RB through to 2025.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=16 December 2020|title=Tsunoda to make F1 racing debut with AlphaTauri in 2021, in place of Kvyat|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.breaking-tsunoda-to-make-f1-racing-debut-with-alphatauri-in-2021-in-place-of.2AeT7L7KrbDKmIxvXgYrp4.html|access-date=16 December 2020|website=Formula1.com}}</ref>
{{Gallery
|align=center
|File:2021 US GP, Tsunoda.jpg|alt2=Yuki Tsunoda, 2021|[[Yuki Tsunoda]]<br />{{f1|{{first word|{{F1stat|UPTO}}}}}} season position: {{F1stat|TSU|seasonposition}}
}}


==Former drivers==
==Former drivers==
Line 33: Line 40:
'''[[Masami Kuwashima]]''' was entered in the 1976 Japanese GP with [[Walter Wolf Racing|Wolf-Williams]]. He participated in the first practice session and was promptly replaced with [[Hans Binder]] having posted very uncompetitive times. He never entered another event.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/masami-kuwashima/non-participation.aspx|title=Masami KUWASHIMA - Grands Prix not started |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref>
'''[[Masami Kuwashima]]''' was entered in the 1976 Japanese GP with [[Walter Wolf Racing|Wolf-Williams]]. He participated in the first practice session and was promptly replaced with [[Hans Binder]] having posted very uncompetitive times. He never entered another event.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/masami-kuwashima/non-participation.aspx|title=Masami KUWASHIMA - Grands Prix not started |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref>


'''[[Noritake Takahara]]''' participated in the [[Japanese Grand Prix|Japanese Grands Prix]] of 1976 and [[1977 Japanese Grand Prix|1977]]. He finished 9th in the former and retired following a first-lap crash with [[Mario Andretti]] and Binder in the latter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/noritake-takahara/grand-prix.aspx|title=Noritake TAKAHARA - Grands Prix started |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/1977/japon.aspx|title=Japan 1977 |website=StatsF1.com|language=fr|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref>
'''[[Noritake Takahara]]''' participated in the [[Japanese Grand Prix|Japanese Grands Prix]] of 1976 and [[1977 Japanese Grand Prix|1977]]. He finished ninth in the former and retired following a first-lap crash with [[Mario Andretti]] and Hans Binder in the latter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/noritake-takahara/grand-prix.aspx|title=Noritake TAKAHARA - Grands Prix started |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/1977/japon.aspx|title=Japan 1977 |website=StatsF1.com|language=fr|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref>

[[Motocross]] turned [[Formula racing|open-wheel]] racer '''[[Kazuyoshi Hoshino]]''' also participated in the first two World Championship Japanese Grands Prix. "The fastest man in Japan" retired from the 1976 race due to recurring tyre problems, before finishing 11th and two laps down in the 1977 event.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/1977/japon/classement.aspx|title=Japan 1977 - Result |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref>


[[Motocross]] turned [[Formula racing|open-wheel]] racer '''[[Kazuyoshi Hoshino]]''' also participated in the first 2 World Championship Japanese Grands Prix. "The fastest man in Japan" retired from the 1976 race due to recurring tyre problems, before finishing 11th and 2 laps down in the 1977 edition.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/1977/japon/classement.aspx|title=Japan 1977 - Result |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref>
'''[[Kunimitsu Takahashi]]''' entered a single race, the 1977 Japanese Grand Prix, where he finished ninth.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/kunimitsu-takahashi/grand-prix.aspx|title=Kunimitsu TAKAHASHI - Grands Prix started |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref> "The Father of [[Drifting (motorsport)|Drifting]]" was the last Japanese driver to enter an F1 race for a decade.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/japan/grand-prix.aspx|title=Japan - Grands Prix started |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref>


"The Father of [[Drifting (motorsport)|Drifting]]" was the last Japanese driver to enter an F1 race for a decade.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/japan/grand-prix.aspx|title=Japan - Grands Prix started |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref> '''[[Kunimitsu Takahashi]]''' entered a single race, the 1977 Japanese GP, and finished a respectable 9th place.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/kunimitsu-takahashi/grand-prix.aspx|title=Kunimitsu TAKAHASHI - Grands Prix started |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref>
[[File:Ukyo Katayama 1995 Britain 2.jpg|thumb|Katayama driving for Tyrrell at the [[1995 British Grand Prix]].]]
[[File:Ukyo Katayama 1995 Britain 2.jpg|thumb|Katayama driving for Tyrrell at the [[1995 British Grand Prix]].]]
'''[[Satoru Nakajima]]''' became the first full-time Japanese Formula One driver in [[1987 Formula One season|1987]], as a [[Honda in Formula One|Honda]]-affiliated driver for [[Team Lotus]] alongside established Brazilian driver [[Ayrton Senna]], and only in his second race, became the first Japanese F1 driver to score points.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/lotus/saison.aspx|title=Lotus - Seasons |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref> In a career that spanned 5 seasons and 80 Grands Prix, he made a name for himself as a respected mid-field runner, who despite never beating his team-mates in the Drivers' Championship was known as a formidable competitor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/satoru-nakajima.aspx|title=Satoru NAKAJIMA |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref>


'''[[Aguri Suzuki]]''' became the first Japanese racer to score a podium in a World Championship race when he finished 3rd in his [[1990 Japanese Grand Prix|home race]] in [[1990 Formula One season|1990]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/japan/podium.aspx|title=Japan - Podiums |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref> He made his debut 2 years earlier, with [[Larrousse]], and raced in the top tier for 8 years on-and-off with 5 separate teams.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/aguri-suzuki/saison.aspx|title=Aguri SUZUKI - Seasons |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref>
'''[[Satoru Nakajima]]''' became the first full-time Japanese Formula One driver in [[1987 Formula One season|1987]], as a [[Honda in Formula One|Honda]]-affiliated driver for [[Team Lotus]] alongside established Brazilian driver [[Ayrton Senna]]. He became the first Japanese F1 driver to score points, in only his second race.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/lotus/saison.aspx|title=Lotus - Seasons |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref> In a career that spanned 5 seasons and 80 Grands Prix, he made a name for himself as a respected mid-field runner, who despite never beating his team-mates in the Drivers' Championship was known as a formidable competitor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/satoru-nakajima.aspx|title=Satoru NAKAJIMA |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref>


'''[[Naoki Hattori]]''' entered 2 Grands Prix, the [[1991 Formula One season|1991]] events held in [[1991 Japanese Grand Prix|Japan]] and [[1991 Australian Grand Prix|Australia]] as a replacement for [[Pedro Chaves]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/naoki-hattori/non-participation.aspx|title=Naoki HATTORI - Grands Prix not started |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.racing-statistics.com/en/drivers/naoki-hattori|title=Naoki Hattori|website=Racing Statistics|language=en|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref> He failed to qualify for either race.<ref name=":3" />
'''[[Aguri Suzuki]]''' became the first Japanese driver to score a podium in a World Championship race when he finished third in his [[1990 Japanese Grand Prix|home race]] in [[1990 Formula One World Championship|1990]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/japan/podium.aspx|title=Japan - Podiums |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref> He made his debut [[1988 Formula One World Championship|two years earlier]], with [[Larrousse]], and raced in Formula One for eight years with five different teams.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/aguri-suzuki/saison.aspx|title=Aguri SUZUKI - Seasons |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref>

'''[[Naoki Hattori]]''' entered two Grands Prix, the [[1991 Formula One World Championship|1991]] events held in [[1991 Japanese Grand Prix|Japan]] and [[1991 Australian Grand Prix|Australia]] as a replacement for [[Pedro Chaves]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/naoki-hattori/non-participation.aspx|title=Naoki HATTORI - Grands Prix not started |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.racing-statistics.com/en/drivers/naoki-hattori|title=Naoki Hattori|website=Racing Statistics|language=en|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref> He failed to qualify for either race.<ref name=":3" />
[[File:Taki Inoue 1995 Britain.jpg|thumb|Inoue driving for Footwork at the 1995 British Grand Prix.]]
[[File:Taki Inoue 1995 Britain.jpg|thumb|Inoue driving for Footwork at the 1995 British Grand Prix.]]
The most capped Japanese F1 driver is '''[[Ukyo Katayama]]'''.<ref name=":4" /> In a career that spanned 97 Grands Prix over 6 seasons, he scored a total of 5 World Championship points, all of them for the [[Tyrrell Racing|Tyrrell]] team in [[1994 Formula One season|1994]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/ukyo-katayama.aspx|title=Ukyo KATAYAMA |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/ukyo-katayama/point.aspx|title=Ukyo KATAYAMA - Points |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref> His career was largely unspectacular, failing to finish in 63 out of the 95 races he started, along with a disqualification in the [[1996 European Grand Prix]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/ukyo-katayama/abandon.aspx|title=Ukyo KATAYAMA - Retirement |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/ukyo-katayama/engagement.aspx|title=Ukyo KATAYAMA - Involvement |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref>
The most capped Japanese F1 driver is '''[[Ukyo Katayama]]'''.<ref name=":4" /> In a career that spanned 97 Grands Prix over six seasons, he scored a total of five World Championship points, all of them for the [[Tyrrell Racing|Tyrrell]] team in [[1994 Formula One season|1994]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/ukyo-katayama.aspx|title=Ukyo KATAYAMA |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/ukyo-katayama/point.aspx|title=Ukyo KATAYAMA - Points |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref> His career was largely unspectacular, failing to finish in 63 out of the 95 races he started, along with a disqualification in the [[1996 European Grand Prix]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/ukyo-katayama/abandon.aspx|title=Ukyo KATAYAMA - Retirement |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/ukyo-katayama/engagement.aspx|title=Ukyo KATAYAMA - Involvement |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref>


'''[[Toshio Suzuki (racing driver)|Toshio Suzuki]]''' (no relation to Aguri) qualified for the [[1993 Japanese Grand Prix|Japanese]] and [[1993 Australian Grand Prix|Australian]] rounds of the [[1993 Formula One season|1993 season]], he finished both races outside the points.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/toshio-suzuki/grand-prix.aspx|title=Toshio SUZUKI - Grands Prix started |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref>
'''[[Toshio Suzuki (racing driver)|Toshio Suzuki]]''' (no relation to Aguri) qualified for the [[1993 Japanese Grand Prix|Japanese]] and [[1993 Australian Grand Prix|Australian]] rounds of the [[1993 Formula One World Championship|1993 season]], he finished both races outside the points.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/toshio-suzuki/grand-prix.aspx|title=Toshio SUZUKI - Grands Prix started |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref>


'''[[Hideki Noda]]''' became the Larrousse team's 4th different driver to race in the #19 [[Larrousse LH94]] when he competed in the final 3 races of the [[1994 Formula One season|1994 season]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/larrousse-lh94.aspx|title=Larrousse LH94 |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/hideki-noda/grand-prix.aspx|title=Hideki NODA - Grands Prix started |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref> He failed to finish any of them.<ref name=":5" />
'''[[Hideki Noda]]''' became the Larrousse team's fourth different driver to race in the #19 [[Larrousse LH94]] when he competed in the final three races of the [[1994 Formula One season|1994 season]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/larrousse-lh94.aspx|title=Larrousse LH94 |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/hideki-noda/grand-prix.aspx|title=Hideki NODA - Grands Prix started |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=24 January 2019}}</ref> He failed to finish any of them.<ref name=":5" />
[[File:Takuma Sato 2006 Brazil.jpg|thumb|Sato driving for Super Aguri at the [[2006 Brazilian Grand Prix]].]]
[[File:Takuma Sato 2006 Brazil.jpg|thumb|Sato driving for Super Aguri at the [[2006 Brazilian Grand Prix]].]]
'''[[Taki Inoue]]''' debuted with the [[Simtek]] team at the [[1994 Japanese Grand Prix]], failing to finish.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/taki-inoue/grand-prix.aspx|title=Taki INOUE - Grands Prix started |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=25 January 2019}}</ref> Despite this, [[Footwork Arrows]] snapped him up for the [[1995 Formula One season|1995 season]] where he would complete the season, scoring no points and etching his name into infamy through 2 bizarre incidents at the [[1995 Monaco Grand Prix|Monaco]] and [[1995 Hungarian Grand Prix|Hungarian]] Grands Prix.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/f1/taki-inoues-fleeting-f1-foray|title=Taki Inoue's fleeting F1 foray|date=19 March 2018|website=Motor Sport Magazine|language=en|access-date=25 January 2019}}</ref> He did not retain his drive the following season.<ref name=":6" />


[[Mugen Motorsports|Mugen]]-affiliated driver '''[[Shinji Nakano]]''' made his debut with the [[Prost Grand Prix|Prost team]] in [[1997 Formula One season|1997]] in return for an engine supply deal.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/shinji-nakano.aspx|title=Shinji NAKANO |website=StatsF1.com|language=fr|access-date=25 January 2019}}</ref> He scored 2 points with 6th place finishes in [[1997 Canadian Grand Prix|Canada]] and [[1997 Hungarian Grand Prix|Hungary]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/shinji-nakano/point.aspx|title=Shinji NAKANO - Points |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/shinji-nakano/classement.aspx?p=6|title=Shinji NAKANO - Result&nbsp;6th |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref> He was dropped by the team when they switched to [[Peugeot]] engines in [[1998 Formula One season|1998]], and was picked up by the [[Minardi]] squad.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/shinji-nakano/grand-prix.aspx|title=Shinji NAKANO - Grands Prix started |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref> He failed to score any points that year, and was dropped post-season.<ref name=":7" />
'''[[Taki Inoue]]''' debuted with the [[Simtek]] team at the [[1994 Japanese Grand Prix]], failing to finish.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/taki-inoue/grand-prix.aspx|title=Taki INOUE - Grands Prix started |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=25 January 2019}}</ref> Despite this, [[Footwork Arrows]] snapped him up for the [[1995 Formula One World Championship|1995 season]] where he would complete the season. He did not score any points, but was involved in bizarre incidents involving the safety car at both the [[1995 Monaco Grand Prix|Monaco]] and [[1995 Hungarian Grand Prix|Hungarian]] Grands Prix.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/opinion/f1/taki-inoues-fleeting-f1-foray|title=Taki Inoue's fleeting F1 foray|date=19 March 2018|website=Motor Sport Magazine|language=en|access-date=25 January 2019}}</ref> He did not retain his drive the following season.<ref name=":6" />


'''[[Tora Takagi]]''' was scouted by [[Satoru Nakajima]] from an early age, and was fast-tracked to a Formula One seat with Tyrrell for the 1998 season. His uncompetitiveness led to his dismissal post-season, where he was hired by Arrows for [[1999 Formula One season|1999]]. This only hampered his progress and, having never scored a point in his 2-year stint in the sport, he was dumped at the end of the season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/tora-takagi.aspx|title=Tora TAKAGI |website=StatsF1.com|language=fr|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/tora-takagi/grand-prix.aspx|title=Tora TAKAGI - Grands Prix started |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref>
[[Mugen Motorsports|Mugen]]-affiliated driver '''[[Shinji Nakano]]''' made his debut with the [[Prost Grand Prix|Prost team]] in [[1997 Formula One World Championship|1997]] in return for an engine supply deal.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/shinji-nakano.aspx|title=Shinji NAKANO |website=StatsF1.com|language=fr|access-date=25 January 2019}}</ref> He scored 2 points with 6th-place finishes in [[1997 Canadian Grand Prix|Canada]] and [[1997 Hungarian Grand Prix|Hungary]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/shinji-nakano/point.aspx|title=Shinji NAKANO - Points |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/shinji-nakano/classement.aspx?p=6|title=Shinji NAKANO - Result&nbsp;6th |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref> He was dropped by the team when they switched to [[Peugeot]] engines in [[1998 Formula One season|1998]], and was picked up by the [[Minardi]] squad.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/shinji-nakano/grand-prix.aspx|title=Shinji NAKANO - Grands Prix started |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref> He failed to score any points that year, and was dropped post-season.<ref name=":7" />

'''[[Toranosuke Takagi]]''' was scouted by [[Satoru Nakajima]] from an early age, and was fast-tracked to a Formula One seat with Tyrrell for the 1998 season. An unsuccessful season led to his release from the team, where he was hired by Arrows for [[1999 Formula One World Championship|1999]]. This season was equally unsuccessful and Takagi was again released following the season, ending his Formula One career.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/tora-takagi.aspx|title=Tora TAKAGI |website=StatsF1.com|language=fr|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/tora-takagi/grand-prix.aspx|title=Tora TAKAGI - Grands Prix started |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref>
[[File:Kazuki Nakajima 2008 Japan free practice.jpg|thumb|Kazuki Nakajima driving for Williams at the [[2008 Japanese Grand Prix]].]]
[[File:Kazuki Nakajima 2008 Japan free practice.jpg|thumb|Kazuki Nakajima driving for Williams at the [[2008 Japanese Grand Prix]].]]

The [[2002 Formula One season|2002 season]] saw the debut of '''[[Takuma Sato]]''', having been hired by the [[Jordan Grand Prix|Jordan]] team due to his relationship with Honda.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/takuma-sato.aspx|title=Takuma SATO |website=StatsF1.com|language=fr|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref> His debut season was one of contrasts, from a 5th-place finish in his [[2002 Japanese Grand Prix|home race]] to a spectacular crash in [[2002 Austrian Grand Prix|Austria]].<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/takuma-sato/grand-prix.aspx|title=Takuma SATO - Grands Prix started |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/features/2015/6/do-you-remember----satos-miracle-escape-in-austria.html|title=Do you remember... Sato’s ‘miracle’ escape in Austria|website=Formula1.com|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref> His inconsistency led to him being replaced by [[Ralph Firman]] for the {{F1|2003}} season. He was hired by [[British American Racing|B.A.R.]] as a test driver for the [[2003 Formula One season|2003 season]] and was elevated to a race seat for the [[2003 Japanese Grand Prix|last race of the season]] following the departure of [[Jacques Villeneuve]].<ref name=":8" /> The next 2 seasons were also contrasting - from scoring his only podium finish at the [[2004 United States Grand Prix]] to the suspension of the team's competition for a period of the [[2005 Formula One season|2005 season]].<ref name=":9" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/bar.aspx|title=BAR |website=StatsF1.com|language=fr|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref> He was hired by [[Super Aguri|Aguri Suzuki's team]] for the [[2006 Formula One season|2006 season]] and spearheaded the backmarker team for its lifespan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/super-aguri/grand-prix.aspx?year=2008|title=Super Aguri - Grands Prix started 2008 |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref> He scored the only points for the team at the [[2007 Spanish Grand Prix|Spanish]] and [[2007 Canadian Grand Prix|Canadian]] round of the [[2007 Formula One season|2007 season]] before his career ended when the Super Aguri team pulled out before the [[2008 Turkish Grand Prix]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/super-aguri.aspx|title=Super Aguri |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/takuma-sato/point.aspx|title=Takuma SATO - Points |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref> He attempted to join [[Scuderia Toro Rosso]] for 2009 but was unsuccessful.<ref name=":8" />
The [[2002 Formula One World Championship|2002 season]] saw the debut of '''[[Takuma Sato]]''', having been hired by the [[Jordan Grand Prix|Jordan]] team due to his relationship with Honda.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/takuma-sato.aspx|title=Takuma SATO |website=StatsF1.com|language=fr|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref> His debut season was one of contrasts, from a 5th-place finish in his [[2002 Japanese Grand Prix|home race]] to a spectacular crash in [[2002 Austrian Grand Prix|Austria]].<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/takuma-sato/grand-prix.aspx|title=Takuma SATO - Grands Prix started |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/features/2015/6/do-you-remember----satos-miracle-escape-in-austria.html|title=Do you remember... Sato's 'miracle' escape in Austria|website=Formula1.com|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref> His inconsistency led to him being replaced by [[Ralph Firman]] for the {{F1|2003}} season. He was hired by [[British American Racing|B.A.R.]] as a test driver for the [[2003 Formula One season|2003 season]] and was elevated to a race seat for the [[2003 Japanese Grand Prix|last race of the season]] following the departure of [[Jacques Villeneuve]].<ref name=":8" /> Sato's next two seasons were also contrasting - from scoring his only podium finish at the [[2004 United States Grand Prix]] to the suspension of the team's competition for a period of the [[2005 Formula One World Championship|2005 season]].<ref name=":9" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/bar.aspx|title=BAR |website=StatsF1.com|language=fr|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref> He was hired by [[Super Aguri|Aguri Suzuki's team]] for the [[2006 Formula One season|2006 season]] and spearheaded the backmarker team for its lifespan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/super-aguri/grand-prix.aspx?year=2008|title=Super Aguri - Grands Prix started 2008 |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref> He scored the only points for the team at the [[2007 Spanish Grand Prix|Spanish]] and [[2007 Canadian Grand Prix|Canadian]] round of the [[2007 Formula One season|2007 season]] before his Formula One career ended when the Super Aguri team pulled out before the [[2008 Turkish Grand Prix]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/super-aguri.aspx|title=Super Aguri |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/takuma-sato/point.aspx|title=Takuma SATO - Points |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref> He attempted to join [[Scuderia Toro Rosso]] for 2009 but was unsuccessful.<ref name=":8" /> Sato competed in the [[IndyCar Series]] full-time from [[2010 IndyCar Series|2010]] to [[2022 IndyCar Series|2022]], and exclusively on oval tracks in [[2023 IndyCar Series|2023]]. He has won six IndyCar Series races as of 2024, including the [[Indianapolis 500]] in [[2017 Indianapolis 500|2017]] and [[2020 Indianapolis 500|2020]].


'''[[Yuji Ide]]''' was hired by the Super Aguri team in 2006 as part of the team's plan to field the first all-Japanese line-up in Formula One history.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/super-aguri/grand-prix.aspx?year=2006|title=Super Aguri - Grands Prix started 2006 |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref> He participated in the first 4 races of the season before having his [[FIA Super License]] revoked due to his backmarker status and a large crash he caused with [[Christijan Albers]].<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/yuji-ide.aspx|title=Yuji IDE |website=StatsF1.com|language=fr|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref> He was replaced with [[Franck Montagny]].<ref name=":10" />
'''[[Yuji Ide]]''' was hired by the Super Aguri team in 2006 as part of the team's plan to field the first all-Japanese line-up in Formula One history.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/super-aguri/grand-prix.aspx?year=2006|title=Super Aguri - Grands Prix started 2006 |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref> He participated in the first 4 races of the season before having his [[FIA Super License]] revoked due to his backmarker status and a large crash he caused with [[Christijan Albers]].<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/yuji-ide.aspx|title=Yuji IDE |website=StatsF1.com|language=fr|access-date=26 January 2019}}</ref> He was replaced with [[Franck Montagny]].<ref name=":10" />
[[File:K Kobayashi Monza 2011.jpg|thumb|Kobayashi driving for Sauber at the [[2011 Italian Grand Prix]].]]
[[File:Kamui Kobayashi 2011 Malaysia FP1 1.jpg|thumb|Kobayashi driving for [[Sauber Motorsport|Sauber]] at the [[2011 Malaysian Grand Prix]].]]
'''[[Sakon Yamamoto]]''' was signed as a test driver of Super Aguri following the revoking of Ide's Super License.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/sakon-yamamoto.aspx|title=Sakon YAMAMOTO |website=StatsF1.com|language=fr|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref> He made his debut in the [[2006 German Grand Prix|German round]] later in the season, and retired from his first 4 races.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/sakon-yamamoto/grand-prix.aspx|title=Sakon YAMAMOTO - Grands Prix started |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref> He did on-and-off stints with [[Spyker F1|Spyker]] in 2007 and [[HRT F1|HRT]] in [[2010 Formula One season|2010]], failing to score a point in any of the subsequent Grands Prix he entered.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/sakon-yamamoto/grand-prix.aspx|title=Sakon YAMAMOTO - Grands Prix started |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref> His final appearance was the [[2010 Korean Grand Prix]].<ref name=":11" />


At the [[2007 Brazilian Grand Prix]], '''[[Kazuki Nakajima]]''' (son of Satoru) became the first 2nd-generation Japanese F1 driver.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/features/2015/2/like-father--like-son---the-second-generation-f1-racers.html|title=Like father, like son - the second-generation F1 racers|website=Formula1.com|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref> He filled the seat of [[Alexander Wurz]], who had retired with immediate effect following [[2007 Chinese Grand Prix|the previous race]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/63167/nakajima-set-to-replace-wurz-in-brazil|title=Nakajima set to replace Wurz in Brazil - F1 - Autosport|last=Noble|first=Jonathan|website=Autosport.com|language=en|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref> He made all his 36 starts with [[Williams Grand Prix Engineering|Williams]] alongside fellow 2nd-generation racer (and [[2016 Formula One season|2016]] World Champion) [[Nico Rosberg]], with a best result of 6th at the [[2008 Australian Grand Prix]].<ref name=":12" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/kazuki-nakajima/grand-prix.aspx|title=Kazuki NAKAJIMA - Grands Prix started |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/kazuki-nakajima/coequipier-detail.aspx?p1=1508&p2=987|title=Kazuki NAKAJIMA - Teammate - Nico ROSBERG |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref> He was dropped in favour of [[Rubens Barrichello]] for the 2010 season, and was signed by new-team candidate [[Stefan GP]], who subsequently failed to make the grid and Kazuki was left without a drive.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/02/williams-rubens-barrichello-niko-hulkenberg|title=Williams confirm Rubens Barrichello and Nico Hulkenberg as 2010 drivers|date=2 November 2009|work=The Guardian|access-date=29 January 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/81593/stefan-gp-fires-up-formula-1-car|title=Stefan GP fires up Formula 1 car - F1 - Autosport|last=Elizalde|first=Dieter Rencken and Pablo|website=Autosport.com|language=en|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref>
'''[[Sakon Yamamoto]]''' was signed as a test driver of Super Aguri following the revoking of Ide's Super License.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/sakon-yamamoto.aspx|title=Sakon YAMAMOTO |website=StatsF1.com|language=fr|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref> He made his debut at the [[2006 German Grand Prix]] later in the season, but failed to finish his first four races.<ref name=":11"/> Yamamoto later drove for [[Spyker F1|Spyker]] in [[2007 Formula One World Championship|2007]] and [[HRT F1|HRT]] in [[2010 Formula One World Championship|2010]], failing to score a point in any of the subsequent Grands Prix he entered.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/sakon-yamamoto/grand-prix.aspx|title=Sakon YAMAMOTO - Grands Prix started |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref> His final appearance was the [[2010 Korean Grand Prix]].<ref name=":11" />
[[File:Nakajima Germany 2009.jpg|thumb|right|Nakajima driving for [[WilliamsF1|Williams]] at the [[2009 German Grand Prix]]]]
At the [[2007 Brazilian Grand Prix]], '''[[Kazuki Nakajima]]''', the son of Satoru Nakajima, became the first second-generation Japanese F1 driver.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|url=https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/features/2015/2/like-father--like-son---the-second-generation-f1-racers.html|title=Like father, like son - the second-generation F1 racers|website=Formula1.com|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref> He filled the seat of [[Alexander Wurz]], who had retired with immediate effect following [[2007 Chinese Grand Prix|the previous race]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/63167/nakajima-set-to-replace-wurz-in-brazil|title=Nakajima set to replace Wurz in Brazil - F1 - Autosport|last=Noble|first=Jonathan|website=Autosport.com|language=en|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref> He made all his 36 starts with [[Williams Grand Prix Engineering|Williams]] alongside fellow second-generation driver (and [[2016 Formula One World Championship|2016]] World Champion) [[Nico Rosberg]], with a best result of sixth at the [[2008 Australian Grand Prix]].<ref name=":12" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/kazuki-nakajima/grand-prix.aspx|title=Kazuki NAKAJIMA - Grands Prix started |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/kazuki-nakajima/coequipier-detail.aspx?p1=1508&p2=987|title=Kazuki NAKAJIMA - Teammate - Nico ROSBERG |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref> He was dropped in favour of test driver [[Nico Hülkenberg]] for the 2010 season, and was signed by new-team candidate [[Stefan GP]], who subsequently failed to make the grid and Kazuki was left without a drive.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/nov/02/williams-rubens-barrichello-niko-hulkenberg|title=Williams confirm Rubens Barrichello and Nico Hulkenberg as 2010 drivers|date=2 November 2009|work=The Guardian|access-date=29 January 2019|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/81593/stefan-gp-fires-up-formula-1-car|title=Stefan GP fires up Formula 1 car - F1 - Autosport|last=Elizalde|first=Dieter Rencken and Pablo|website=Autosport.com|language=en|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref>


'''[[Kamui Kobayashi]]''' is the most recent Japanese driver to have raced in Formula One.<ref name=":0" /> He made his debut at the [[2009 Brazilian Grand Prix]] for [[Toyota Racing (Formula One team)|Toyota Racing]] following a flare-up of an injury for regular driver [[Timo Glock]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2009/10/12/more-sports/kobayashi-replaces-glock-in-brazil/|title=Kobayashi replaces Glock in Brazil|date=12 October 2009|work=The Japan Times Online|access-date=29 January 2019|language=en-US|issn=0447-5763}}</ref> He was retained for the final race of the season in [[2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix|Abu Dhabi]] and scored a points-finish.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/kamui-kobayashi/point.aspx|title=Kamui KOBAYASHI - Points |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref> This led to the [[Sauber]] team snapping him up for the next 3 seasons, where he consistently finished in points-scoring positions and made his name as an aggressive mid-pack racer.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/kamui-kobayashi/saison.aspx|title=Kamui KOBAYASHI - Seasons |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/kamui-kobayashi/constructeur.aspx|title=Kamui KOBAYASHI - Constructors |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref> He was rewarded for his efforts with a podium at the [[2012 Japanese Grand Prix]], along with 3 other podium finishes for team-mate [[Sergio Pérez]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/kamui-kobayashi/podium.aspx|title=Kamui KOBAYASHI - Podiums |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/kamui-kobayashi/coequipier-detail.aspx?p1=1552&p2=1563|title=Kamui KOBAYASHI - Teammate - Sergio PEREZ |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref> Despite this, he was left without a drive for the 2013 season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/20764423|title=Former Sauber driver Kamui Kobayashi gives up on 2013 drive|date=17 December 2012|access-date=29 January 2019|language=en-GB}}</ref> For [[2014 Formula One season|2014]] he was signed to the backmarker [[Caterham F1]] alongside debutant [[Marcus Ericsson]] - and inevitably struggled with the financially inferior team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/17583/9116991/caterham-appoint-kamui-kobayashi-and-marcus-ericsson-as-their-2014-race-drivers|title=Caterham appoint Kamui Kobayashi and Marcus Ericsson as their 2014 race drivers|website=Sky Sports|language=en|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref> He was replaced with [[André Lotterer]] for the event in [[2014 Belgian Grand Prix|Belgium]], and sat out the rounds in [[2014 United States Grand Prix|the United States]] and [[2014 Brazilian Grand Prix|Brazil]] due to the team's financial issues.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/115449/lotterer-replaces-kobayashi|title=Andre Lotterer replaces Kamui Kobayashi at Caterham F1 team|website=Autosport.com|language=en|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/29765039|title=Caterham 'allowed' to miss US and Brazil GPs by Bernie Ecclestone|date=24 October 2014|access-date=29 January 2019|language=en-GB}}</ref> Kobayashi's (and Caterham's) [[2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix|last race]] ended in a retirement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/kamui-kobayashi/grand-prix.aspx|title=Kamui KOBAYASHI - Grands Prix started |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref>
'''[[Kamui Kobayashi]]''' made his debut at the [[2009 Brazilian Grand Prix]] for [[Toyota Racing (Formula One team)|Toyota Racing]] following an injury to regular driver [[Timo Glock]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2009/10/12/more-sports/kobayashi-replaces-glock-in-brazil/|title=Kobayashi replaces Glock in Brazil|date=12 October 2009|work=The Japan Times Online|access-date=29 January 2019|language=en-US|issn=0447-5763}}</ref> He was retained for the final race of the season in [[2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix|Abu Dhabi]] and scored a points-finish.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/kamui-kobayashi/point.aspx|title=Kamui KOBAYASHI - Points |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref> This led to the [[Sauber]] team snapping him up for the next three seasons, where he consistently finished in points-scoring positions and made his name as an aggressive midfield driver.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/kamui-kobayashi/saison.aspx|title=Kamui KOBAYASHI - Seasons |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/kamui-kobayashi/constructeur.aspx|title=Kamui KOBAYASHI - Constructors |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref> He was rewarded for his efforts with a podium at the [[2012 Japanese Grand Prix]], along with 3 other podium finishes for team-mate [[Sergio Pérez]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/kamui-kobayashi/podium.aspx|title=Kamui KOBAYASHI - Podiums |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/kamui-kobayashi/coequipier-detail.aspx?p1=1552&p2=1563|title=Kamui KOBAYASHI - Teammate - Sergio PEREZ |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref> Despite this, he was left without a drive for the 2013 season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/20764423|title=Former Sauber driver Kamui Kobayashi gives up on 2013 drive|date=17 December 2012|access-date=29 January 2019|language=en-GB}}</ref> For [[2014 Formula One season|2014]] he was signed to the backmarker [[Caterham F1]] alongside debutant [[Marcus Ericsson]] - and inevitably struggled with the financially inferior team.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.skysports.com/f1/news/17583/9116991/caterham-appoint-kamui-kobayashi-and-marcus-ericsson-as-their-2014-race-drivers|title=Caterham appoint Kamui Kobayashi and Marcus Ericsson as their 2014 race drivers|website=Sky Sports|language=en|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref> He was replaced with [[André Lotterer]] for the event in [[2014 Belgian Grand Prix|Belgium]], and sat out the rounds in [[2014 United States Grand Prix|the United States]] and [[2014 Brazilian Grand Prix|Brazil]] due to the team's financial issues.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/115449/lotterer-replaces-kobayashi|title=Andre Lotterer replaces Kamui Kobayashi at Caterham F1 team|website=Autosport.com|language=en|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/29765039|title=Caterham 'allowed' to miss US and Brazil GPs by Bernie Ecclestone|date=24 October 2014|access-date=29 January 2019|language=en-GB}}</ref> Kobayashi's (and Caterham's) [[2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix|last race]] ended in a retirement.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/kamui-kobayashi/grand-prix.aspx|title=Kamui KOBAYASHI - Grands Prix started |website=StatsF1.com|access-date=29 January 2019}}</ref>


==Timeline==
==Timeline==
{| class="wikitable" border="1" style="font-size:85%;"
{| class="wikitable" border="1"
!colspan=2| Former drivers
!colspan=2| Former drivers
|-
|-
Line 131: Line 143:
| {{F1|2009}}–{{F1|2012}}, {{F1|2014}}
| {{F1|2009}}–{{F1|2012}}, {{F1|2014}}
|-
|-
! colspan="2" |Future drivers
! colspan="2" |Current drivers
|-
|-
|[[Yuki Tsunoda]]
|[[Yuki Tsunoda]]
|{{F1|2021}}
|{{F1|2021}}–{{F1|2024}}
|-
|-
! colspan="2" |Source: <ref name=":0"
! colspan="2" |Source:<ref name=":0"
/>
/>
|}
|}
Line 142: Line 154:
==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
{{Formula One drivers from Japan}}

{{Formula One nationalities}}
{{Formula One nationalities}}


Latest revision as of 22:59, 6 December 2024

Formula One drivers from Japan
Drivers21
Grands Prix502
Entries683
Starts641
Best season finish8th (2004)
Wins0
Podiums3
Pole positions0
Fastest laps3
Points216
First entry1975 Dutch Grand Prix
Latest entry2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
2025 driversYuki Tsunoda

There has been a total of 21 Formula One drivers from Japan, of whom 18 took part in a race, with varying degrees of success.[1][2][3][4]

Current drivers

[edit]
Tsunoda driving for AlphaTauri at the 2023 Austrian Grand Prix

Yuki Tsunoda drove for AlphaTauri when he joined Formula One in 2021 and remained with the team when they became RB in 2024. Tsunoda is contracted to stay at RB through to 2025.[5]

Former drivers

[edit]

The first Japanese Formula One driver was Hiroshi Fushida. He qualified for the 1975 Dutch Grand Prix, but a blown engine prevented him from starting the race.[6] He failed to qualify for the British Grand Prix later in the season.[6]

Masahiro Hasemi started one World Championship race, the 1976 Japanese Grand Prix.[7] He came into the event having won the non-championship Japanese GP the year prior. He finished the race 11th and 7 laps down, the last classified finisher.[8]

Masami Kuwashima was entered in the 1976 Japanese GP with Wolf-Williams. He participated in the first practice session and was promptly replaced with Hans Binder having posted very uncompetitive times. He never entered another event.[9]

Noritake Takahara participated in the Japanese Grands Prix of 1976 and 1977. He finished ninth in the former and retired following a first-lap crash with Mario Andretti and Hans Binder in the latter.[10][11]

Motocross turned open-wheel racer Kazuyoshi Hoshino also participated in the first two World Championship Japanese Grands Prix. "The fastest man in Japan" retired from the 1976 race due to recurring tyre problems, before finishing 11th and two laps down in the 1977 event.[8][12]

Kunimitsu Takahashi entered a single race, the 1977 Japanese Grand Prix, where he finished ninth.[13] "The Father of Drifting" was the last Japanese driver to enter an F1 race for a decade.[4]

Katayama driving for Tyrrell at the 1995 British Grand Prix.

Satoru Nakajima became the first full-time Japanese Formula One driver in 1987, as a Honda-affiliated driver for Team Lotus alongside established Brazilian driver Ayrton Senna. He became the first Japanese F1 driver to score points, in only his second race.[14] In a career that spanned 5 seasons and 80 Grands Prix, he made a name for himself as a respected mid-field runner, who despite never beating his team-mates in the Drivers' Championship was known as a formidable competitor.[15]

Aguri Suzuki became the first Japanese driver to score a podium in a World Championship race when he finished third in his home race in 1990.[16] He made his debut two years earlier, with Larrousse, and raced in Formula One for eight years with five different teams.[17]

Naoki Hattori entered two Grands Prix, the 1991 events held in Japan and Australia as a replacement for Pedro Chaves.[18][19] He failed to qualify for either race.[18]

Inoue driving for Footwork at the 1995 British Grand Prix.

The most capped Japanese F1 driver is Ukyo Katayama.[3] In a career that spanned 97 Grands Prix over six seasons, he scored a total of five World Championship points, all of them for the Tyrrell team in 1994.[20][21] His career was largely unspectacular, failing to finish in 63 out of the 95 races he started, along with a disqualification in the 1996 European Grand Prix.[22][23]

Toshio Suzuki (no relation to Aguri) qualified for the Japanese and Australian rounds of the 1993 season, he finished both races outside the points.[24]

Hideki Noda became the Larrousse team's fourth different driver to race in the #19 Larrousse LH94 when he competed in the final three races of the 1994 season.[25][26] He failed to finish any of them.[26]

Sato driving for Super Aguri at the 2006 Brazilian Grand Prix.

Taki Inoue debuted with the Simtek team at the 1994 Japanese Grand Prix, failing to finish.[27] Despite this, Footwork Arrows snapped him up for the 1995 season where he would complete the season. He did not score any points, but was involved in bizarre incidents involving the safety car at both the Monaco and Hungarian Grands Prix.[27][28] He did not retain his drive the following season.[27]

Mugen-affiliated driver Shinji Nakano made his debut with the Prost team in 1997 in return for an engine supply deal.[29] He scored 2 points with 6th-place finishes in Canada and Hungary.[30][31] He was dropped by the team when they switched to Peugeot engines in 1998, and was picked up by the Minardi squad.[32] He failed to score any points that year, and was dropped post-season.[29]

Toranosuke Takagi was scouted by Satoru Nakajima from an early age, and was fast-tracked to a Formula One seat with Tyrrell for the 1998 season. An unsuccessful season led to his release from the team, where he was hired by Arrows for 1999. This season was equally unsuccessful and Takagi was again released following the season, ending his Formula One career.[33][34]

Kazuki Nakajima driving for Williams at the 2008 Japanese Grand Prix.

The 2002 season saw the debut of Takuma Sato, having been hired by the Jordan team due to his relationship with Honda.[35] His debut season was one of contrasts, from a 5th-place finish in his home race to a spectacular crash in Austria.[36][37] His inconsistency led to him being replaced by Ralph Firman for the 2003 season. He was hired by B.A.R. as a test driver for the 2003 season and was elevated to a race seat for the last race of the season following the departure of Jacques Villeneuve.[35] Sato's next two seasons were also contrasting - from scoring his only podium finish at the 2004 United States Grand Prix to the suspension of the team's competition for a period of the 2005 season.[36][38] He was hired by Aguri Suzuki's team for the 2006 season and spearheaded the backmarker team for its lifespan.[39] He scored the only points for the team at the Spanish and Canadian round of the 2007 season before his Formula One career ended when the Super Aguri team pulled out before the 2008 Turkish Grand Prix.[40][41] He attempted to join Scuderia Toro Rosso for 2009 but was unsuccessful.[35] Sato competed in the IndyCar Series full-time from 2010 to 2022, and exclusively on oval tracks in 2023. He has won six IndyCar Series races as of 2024, including the Indianapolis 500 in 2017 and 2020.

Yuji Ide was hired by the Super Aguri team in 2006 as part of the team's plan to field the first all-Japanese line-up in Formula One history.[42] He participated in the first 4 races of the season before having his FIA Super License revoked due to his backmarker status and a large crash he caused with Christijan Albers.[43] He was replaced with Franck Montagny.[43]

Kobayashi driving for Sauber at the 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix.

Sakon Yamamoto was signed as a test driver of Super Aguri following the revoking of Ide's Super License.[44] He made his debut at the 2006 German Grand Prix later in the season, but failed to finish his first four races.[45] Yamamoto later drove for Spyker in 2007 and HRT in 2010, failing to score a point in any of the subsequent Grands Prix he entered.[45] His final appearance was the 2010 Korean Grand Prix.[45]

Nakajima driving for Williams at the 2009 German Grand Prix

At the 2007 Brazilian Grand Prix, Kazuki Nakajima, the son of Satoru Nakajima, became the first second-generation Japanese F1 driver.[46] He filled the seat of Alexander Wurz, who had retired with immediate effect following the previous race.[47] He made all his 36 starts with Williams alongside fellow second-generation driver (and 2016 World Champion) Nico Rosberg, with a best result of sixth at the 2008 Australian Grand Prix.[46][48][49] He was dropped in favour of test driver Nico Hülkenberg for the 2010 season, and was signed by new-team candidate Stefan GP, who subsequently failed to make the grid and Kazuki was left without a drive.[50][51]

Kamui Kobayashi made his debut at the 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix for Toyota Racing following an injury to regular driver Timo Glock.[52] He was retained for the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi and scored a points-finish.[53] This led to the Sauber team snapping him up for the next three seasons, where he consistently finished in points-scoring positions and made his name as an aggressive midfield driver.[54][55] He was rewarded for his efforts with a podium at the 2012 Japanese Grand Prix, along with 3 other podium finishes for team-mate Sergio Pérez.[56][57] Despite this, he was left without a drive for the 2013 season.[58] For 2014 he was signed to the backmarker Caterham F1 alongside debutant Marcus Ericsson - and inevitably struggled with the financially inferior team.[59] He was replaced with André Lotterer for the event in Belgium, and sat out the rounds in the United States and Brazil due to the team's financial issues.[60][61] Kobayashi's (and Caterham's) last race ended in a retirement.[62]

Timeline

[edit]
Former drivers
Hiroshi Fushida 1975
Masahiro Hasemi 1976
Masami Kuwashima 1976
Kazuyoshi Hoshino 1976–1977
Noritake Takahara 1976–1977
Kunimitsu Takahashi 1977
Satoru Nakajima 1987–1991
Aguri Suzuki 1988–1995
Naoki Hattori 1991
Ukyo Katayama 1992–1997
Toshio Suzuki 1993
Hideki Noda 1994
Taki Inoue 1994–1995
Shinji Nakano 1997–1998
Toranosuke Takagi 1998–1999
Takuma Sato 2002–2008
Yuji Ide 2006
Sakon Yamamoto 2006–2007, 2010
Kazuki Nakajima 2007–2009
Kamui Kobayashi 2009–2012, 2014
Current drivers
Yuki Tsunoda 2021–2024
Source:[4]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "A history of Japanese F1 drivers (Part 1)". 22 October 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  2. ^ "A history of Japanese F1 drivers (Part 2)". 23 October 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Japan - Drivers". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  4. ^ a b c "Japan - Grands Prix started". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  5. ^ "Tsunoda to make F1 racing debut with AlphaTauri in 2021, in place of Kvyat". Formula1.com. 16 December 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  6. ^ a b "Hiroshi FUSHIDA - Grands Prix not started". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  7. ^ "Masahiro HASEMI - Grands Prix started". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  8. ^ a b "Japan 1976 - Result". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  9. ^ "Masami KUWASHIMA - Grands Prix not started". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  10. ^ "Noritake TAKAHARA - Grands Prix started". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  11. ^ "Japan 1977". StatsF1.com (in French). Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  12. ^ "Japan 1977 - Result". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  13. ^ "Kunimitsu TAKAHASHI - Grands Prix started". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  14. ^ "Lotus - Seasons". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  15. ^ "Satoru NAKAJIMA". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  16. ^ "Japan - Podiums". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  17. ^ "Aguri SUZUKI - Seasons". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  18. ^ a b "Naoki HATTORI - Grands Prix not started". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  19. ^ "Naoki Hattori". Racing Statistics. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  20. ^ "Ukyo KATAYAMA". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  21. ^ "Ukyo KATAYAMA - Points". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  22. ^ "Ukyo KATAYAMA - Retirement". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  23. ^ "Ukyo KATAYAMA - Involvement". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  24. ^ "Toshio SUZUKI - Grands Prix started". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  25. ^ "Larrousse LH94". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  26. ^ a b "Hideki NODA - Grands Prix started". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 24 January 2019.
  27. ^ a b c "Taki INOUE - Grands Prix started". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  28. ^ "Taki Inoue's fleeting F1 foray". Motor Sport Magazine. 19 March 2018. Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  29. ^ a b "Shinji NAKANO". StatsF1.com (in French). Retrieved 25 January 2019.
  30. ^ "Shinji NAKANO - Points". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  31. ^ "Shinji NAKANO - Result 6th". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  32. ^ "Shinji NAKANO - Grands Prix started". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  33. ^ "Tora TAKAGI". StatsF1.com (in French). Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  34. ^ "Tora TAKAGI - Grands Prix started". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  35. ^ a b c "Takuma SATO". StatsF1.com (in French). Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  36. ^ a b "Takuma SATO - Grands Prix started". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  37. ^ "Do you remember... Sato's 'miracle' escape in Austria". Formula1.com. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  38. ^ "BAR". StatsF1.com (in French). Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  39. ^ "Super Aguri - Grands Prix started 2008". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  40. ^ "Super Aguri". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  41. ^ "Takuma SATO - Points". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  42. ^ "Super Aguri - Grands Prix started 2006". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  43. ^ a b "Yuji IDE". StatsF1.com (in French). Retrieved 26 January 2019.
  44. ^ "Sakon YAMAMOTO". StatsF1.com (in French). Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  45. ^ a b c "Sakon YAMAMOTO - Grands Prix started". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  46. ^ a b "Like father, like son - the second-generation F1 racers". Formula1.com. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  47. ^ Noble, Jonathan. "Nakajima set to replace Wurz in Brazil - F1 - Autosport". Autosport.com. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  48. ^ "Kazuki NAKAJIMA - Grands Prix started". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  49. ^ "Kazuki NAKAJIMA - Teammate - Nico ROSBERG". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  50. ^ "Williams confirm Rubens Barrichello and Nico Hulkenberg as 2010 drivers". The Guardian. 2 November 2009. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  51. ^ Elizalde, Dieter Rencken and Pablo. "Stefan GP fires up Formula 1 car - F1 - Autosport". Autosport.com. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  52. ^ "Kobayashi replaces Glock in Brazil". The Japan Times Online. 12 October 2009. ISSN 0447-5763. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  53. ^ "Kamui KOBAYASHI - Points". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  54. ^ "Kamui KOBAYASHI - Seasons". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  55. ^ "Kamui KOBAYASHI - Constructors". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  56. ^ "Kamui KOBAYASHI - Podiums". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  57. ^ "Kamui KOBAYASHI - Teammate - Sergio PEREZ". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  58. ^ "Former Sauber driver Kamui Kobayashi gives up on 2013 drive". 17 December 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  59. ^ "Caterham appoint Kamui Kobayashi and Marcus Ericsson as their 2014 race drivers". Sky Sports. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  60. ^ "Andre Lotterer replaces Kamui Kobayashi at Caterham F1 team". Autosport.com. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  61. ^ "Caterham 'allowed' to miss US and Brazil GPs by Bernie Ecclestone". 24 October 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
  62. ^ "Kamui KOBAYASHI - Grands Prix started". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 29 January 2019.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Formula_One_drivers_from_Japan&oldid=1261597489"