McLaren-Honda has confirmed that Japanese driver Nobuharu Matsushita will become the team's test and development driver for the 2016 season.
The 22-year-old won the All-Japan Formula 3 Championship in 2014 before graduating to GP2 in 2015. He raced for ART Grand Prix, finishing ninth with three podiums, alongside McLaren reserve driver Stoffel Vandoorne, who went on to win the series that year.
As well as Matsushita's new role at McLaren, which will see him focus on "simulator support and engineering work", he will also contest the 2016 GP2 season with ART.
"This season I am ecstatic to be joining the McLaren-Honda F1 team as a test and development driver," said Matsushita. "To step into the world of Formula 1 fulfils a boyhood dream, and is a huge step forward in my career.
"I will do the utmost to help the race team on the track, by gathering data to feed back into the development and set-up of the car through simulator work.
"Last year’s GP2 Series season was a steep learning curve for me," he added. "It was my first year racing in Europe – but, thankfully, my experiences with Honda’s young driver programme meant I was well prepared for the task ahead."
“As a GP2 Series driver, my sole focus for 2016 is to win the championship. I believe that I have the best package around me to succeed and reach my ultimate goal of becoming a F1 driver."
McLaren-Honda racing director Eric Boullier added: "Nobu’s first season racing in Europe showed great promise – he produced some extremely impressive performances, and with experience and consistency, will surely build on that potential in 2016.
"His position as a McLaren-Honda test and development driver will be extremely important – he’ll underline and corroborate the learning we acquire at the track, and will play a key role in improving our performance throughout 2016."
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