Takuya Izawa to Compete in the GP2 Series from the 2014 Season

TOKYO, Japan, January 23, 2014 – Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today announced that Takuya Izawa, who demonstrated great performance during the 2013 season of the SUPER GT (GT500) Series and the Japanese Championship SUPER FORMULA Series, will begin competing in the GP2 Series^*1 starting with the 2014 season with the France-based racing team, ART Grand Prix^*2. The GP2 is recognized as a gateway to the FIA^*3 Formula One World Championship (F1).

Honda has been evolving the Honda Formula Dream Project (HFDP) that includes the Suzuka Circuit Racing School-Formula (SRS-F) and is striving to develop highly-talented drivers who can succeed in the world of motor sports. Through the collaboration between Honda’s driver development program and the Young Driver Development Program operated by McLaren Racing, Honda will further enhance its initiatives for generating F1 drivers.

Izawa’s participation in the GP2 Series is a part of this project, and Honda will further strengthen cooperation with McLaren Racing to increase the chance for Japanese drivers to succeed on a global basis.

*1

GP2 Series is a category positioned as a gateway to the F1 series. GP2 Series races are held internationally, mostly in Europe, as support races to F1. Past GP2 Series champions have successfully competed in F1.

*2

ART Grand Prix is racing team engaged various racing activities including GP2 Series and Karting. The ASM, predecessor of the ART Grand Prix, was established in 1996. The ART Grand Prix was established in 2004. The 2013 driver ranking was 3rd and Team ranking was 5th.

*3

FIA is an abbreviation for the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile.

Commenting on his GP2 Series debut, Takuya Izawa said: “Staring this season, I am participating in the GP2 Series where the world’s top drivers compete hard and where a number of F1 drivers have been generated. I am feeling emotions which I never felt before. This will be a big challenge for me.”

“However, understanding the importance of what comes beyond this challenge, I view it as a project where I definitely have to succeed. Of course, I feel pressure. However, I should be confident with what I learned during the six years I competed in the top category in Japan and I will take a new step forward toward global racing as a driver who inherited Honda’s Challenging Spirit. I am grateful to Honda for giving me this opportunity and for all people who supported me to this date. Please continue your warm support.”

Takuya Izawa’s key racing career:

Original Source: http://world.honda.com/news/2014/c140123Takuya-Izawa-GP2-Series/index.html