Haas will hand its 2023 Formula 1 challenger to reigning Japanese Super Formula champion Sho Tsuboi at a special test at the Fuji Speedway.
The 30-year-old will drive the VF-23 in a TPC [Testing of Previous Cars] test alongside the American squad’s current test driver, fellow Japanese driver Ryo Hirakawa on August 6-7.
Tsuboi, who took the Super Formula title for the first time last year, having taken three victories across the nine rounds.
He is currently sitting in third in the Drivers’ standings, his seventh season in the competition, as well as competing in the Super GT series, currently leading this season’s championship, having won it the last two years and in 2021.
Super Formula has been a breeding ground for F1 drivers in the past, having schooled the likes of Ralf Schumacher [then known as Formula Nippon], Stoffel Vandoorne, Pierre Gasly, Liam Lawson and Nyck de Vries.
Tsuboi also boasts titles in both the Japanese Formula 4 and 3 series.
A Toyota driver in both series, Tsuboi is a factory driver for the brand, with Haas having benefitted from its strong partnership with the Toyota Gazoo Racing organisation.
Writing on his social media, Tsuboi said: “Thank you to Team Haas and TGR [Toyota Gazoo Racing] for giving me this wonderful opportunity.
“Of course, I’m very much looking forward to driving the F1 car. I want to make this the perfect day and take this once-in-a-lifetime chance to make my dreams come true!”
The test also gives the Fuji Speedway a chance to see F1 cars on track, the circuit having not hosted a Grand Prix since 2008, when it briefly replaced Suzuka as the Japanese Grand Prix host.
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