TDP Driver Kazuki Nakajima Selected as Test Driver for Williams
F1 Team for 2007
Kohei Hirate and Kamui Kobayashi to Participate in
Panasonic Toyota Racing F1 Tests
Kazuki Nakajima, who competed in the 2006 F3 Euro series,
was selected as a test driver for the Williams F1 team, for
the 2007 season. He also plans to participate on the DAMS
team in the GP2 series, a category below F1.
In addition, Kohei Hirate, who also competed in the F3 Euro
series this year, plans to race in the GP2 series on the Trident
team, starting in 2007. Kamui Kobayashi, winner of the rookie
title in the 2006 F3 Euro series, plans to compete in the
series for a second year as a part of the ASM Formula 3 team.
Both Hirate and Kobayashi will be given opportunities to perform
F1 tests for the Panasonic Toyota Racing team.
Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) is conducting the Toyota Young
Drivers Program (TDP) with the participation of promising
young drivers to identify and cultivate new talent and support
their continuous improvement. This program is aimed to foster
drivers who hope to compete in top racing categories, both
in Japan and throughout the world. The program will continue
support the activities of participating drivers through a
process of selection and improvement in each category in 2007.
Reference: History of TDP
The TDP was established in 2000 as a part of the Formula
Toyota Racing School (FTRS), a hands-on racing school that
TMC has been operating for some time in Japan, to discover
and cultivate talented young drivers through scholarships.
In 2001, TMC then created the Toyota Drivers Academy (TDA)
to foster young drivers overseas. The two programs were integrated
in 2005 under the name Toyota Young Drivers Program (TDP),
allowing centralized management of activities.
In 2006, the TDP supported participation in Europe in the
GP2 series as well as the F3 Euro series, a gateway to F1,
and the Formula Renault 2.0 series, an introductory category.
In Japan, the TDP supported drivers in the All Japan F3 Championship,
which gathers those aiming to participate in the top categories
in the future, the ESSO Formula Toyota series, an introductory
formula series and Formula Challenge Japan (FCJ), which were
created in 2006 to foster young drivers. In total, 15 drivers
have developed their abilities through participation.
Comments of drivers and TMC motorsports personnel
Kazuki Nakajima (Manor Motorsport) :
This will be the first time for me to participate in both
GP2 and F1. I hope to gain as much experience as possible
and achieve good results in GP2. I am still not completely
sure how F1 is like, but I will have the opportunity to drive
as a test driver and hope to contribute to the team while
gaining experience. My ultimate goal is to be an F1 race driver
and I hope to make 2007 a year to achieve my goal.
Kohei Hirate (Manor Motorsport) :
I will compete in the GP2 series next year and participate
in races here (Europe) for another year. I can also test drive
occasionally so I am extremely happy about that. I am very
motivated for next season. I have advanced in GP2, which is
a step toward F1, and I will do my very best to come even
closer to F1.
Kamui Kobayashi (ASM Formula 3) :
I will be able to compete in the F3 Euro series next year
with the same champion team as this year. I get along well
with other team members and I believe that the team structure
makes it possible for me to be series champion next year and
I am going to pursue that goal. As a member of the Toyota
family, I would like to take the opportunity that has been
given to me to be an F1 test driver and I hope I can contribute
to creating outstanding racecars and support the team. I hope
to gain extensive experience and become an appreciative driver.
Yoshiaki Kinoshita, General Manager, TMC Motorsports
Division :
Hirate, Nakajima, and Kobayashi have been working very hard
in Europe compete in F1, which is one of the goals of the
TDP. It is a tremendous honor that Nakajima was offered the
opportunity to be an F1 test driver for the Williams F1 team.
TMC will continue to support these drivers as a member of
the TDP.
Hiromi Hayashi, Deputy General Manager, TMC Motorsports
Division :
The Japanese media frequently reported the activities of
Hirate, Nakajima, and Kobayashi in Europe this year, and I
believe their performance was highly evaluated. The three
often appeared on the podium in the highly competitive F3
Euro series, displaying that they can match or even surpass
the top European drivers.
Next year, each driver will have his own issues to address.
I hope that when they move up to the GP2 series, Nakajima
and Hirate will polish their skills in the more competitive
environment, and that Kobayashi will become a champion of
the F3 Euro series in his second year. All three plan to race
in F1 test programs and I look forward to them making the
most of these opportunities and taking on the challenge of
becoming F1 drivers.
Other TDP drivers in Europe and Japan also hone their skills
in their respective categories. I am very pleased that our
activities are being praised in Europe and Japan.
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