Honda young driver Nirei Fukuzumi will graduate from GP3 to a dual programme with Formula 2 and Super Formula drives in 2018.
The 20-year-old Japanese driver moves up to the next level on the ladder to Formula 1 after a third-place finish in GP3 last year, taking two race wins in the process.
He will race for Arden International in F2 this season, a move widely expected after he drove for the British outfit at the post-season test in Abu Dhabi.
A more surprising move for Fukuzumi is his graduation to Super Formula. He will race for Team Mugen next year, replacing current Toro Rosso F1 driver Pierre Gasly.
Super Formula has established itself as a highly credible step on the way to F1 after GP2 champions Stoffel Vandoorne and Gasly raced in the series in 2016 and ’17 respectively as they were not permitted to return to GP2 as champions and were unable to immediately find race seats in F1.
Gasly nearly won the Super Formula title in 2017, finishing half a point away from series veteran Hiroaki Ishiura.
Notably, two of the Super Formula races clash with F2 weekends. It is yet unconfirmed as to which series Fukuzumi will prioritise.
