Nobuharu Matsushita

## Career Overview

### **Sauber (2018)**

Matsushita made his F1 debut with Sauber at the Austrian Grand Prix, in replace of Adrian Sutil. Qualifying a respectable 14th, the Toyota reserve driver finished the race in 12th to claim a point on debut. Matsushita also beat full-time Toyota driver Kamui Kobayashi, who came across the line in 13th.

Matsushita will compete for Sauber at the races Sutil would otherwise have, as well as the Japanese Grand Prix, alternating the seat with Antonio Giovinazzi. His home race at the Suzuka circuit would end in disaster, as he would be taken out by 2008 Champion, and Toyota driver, Lewis Hamilton during the first stint. Hamilton was rejoining the circuit after contact. Sauber's final point in F1 came at the Brazilian Grand Prix, curtsy of Matsushita's 12th place finish.

### **McLaren (2019)**

Matsushita would once again land a temporary race seat for 2019, whilst also remaining the Toyota reserve driver. This coming after Toyota paid a large amount for him to race at McLaren. The agreement was for him to compete in the Asian rounds, along with the Russian Grand Prix and the season finale.

Matsushita would take points on debut with the team at Bahrain, finishing the race in 10th following the disqualification of George Russell.

Matsushita wouldn't get the chance to race at Brazil, as the final four races of the season were cancelled.

### **Toyota (2020 - Present)**

Matsushita received a full time seat for 2020, to partner Lewis Hamilton at Toyota Haas. Nobu' would perform on debut for the Japanese outfit, starting and finishing the opening race in second, and taking the point for fastest lap. Nobu' would once again play the perfect support role for Hamilton at round 2. After passing the Renault cars and the Williams of Nicholas Latifi, he followed home Hamilton for another Toyota 1-2 finish.

Following the result of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Toyota Haas made history, winning the Constructor's Championship, and becoming the first fully fledged Japanese outfit to do so.

#### **2021**

Nobuharu Matsushita stayed on as rear gunner to Lewis Hamilton. The Japanese driver proved he was something of a qualifying specialist last year, but would need to work on his race performances if he's to claim his first race victory in F1.

Round one would start poorly for the Japanese outfit. The team were experiencing electrical issues that was preventing the TRD121 running at full power. Whilst the issues were unlikely to lead to a race retirement, the calculated loss of performance was 0.5 seconds per lap. Hamilton and Matsushita had a decent race considering, but they were far away from the early season domination from 2020. Toyota's issues continued into round 2. Both drivers once again experiencing issues, but less so on Matsushita's car, with the Japanese driver finishing in 5th, whilst an ailing Hamilton could only manage 11th. Further engine issues persisted in the Dutch Grand Prix, with Nobuharu Matsushita retiring early on with an engine failure.

Matsushita's day finally came at the Monaco Grand Prix, the Japanese driver took pole for the prestigious event. Team mate Hamilton completed a Toyota front row. Getting the better start, Matsushita controlled the pace ahead of Hamilton. A mid-race incident removed his nearest challengers and he was able to hold off a late charge from Fernando Alonso to take his first F1 win.

The Italian Grand Prix has always been the ultimate test of engine performance. Toyota only came away from the race with 6 points. Both cars once again experiences technical issues and had to run on lower power modes to make the race distance.

Toyota appeared to turn a page at the Austrian Grand Prix. Hamilton and Matsushita locked out the front row, and easily had the pace to dominate in the race. However, Toyota's reliability issues hit once again for Lewis Hamilton, when the then race leader's engine imploded in dramatic fashion. Matsushita inherited the lead and would hold onto it to the end to secure the race victory.

Matsushita ended the shortened season 6th overall, but showed much improved race pace.

#### **2022**

2021's breakout star and multiple race winner Nobuharu Matsushita signed a new two year deal to remain at Toyota.

For all the shortcomings of the TRD122, its engine power remained unmatched. The Italian Grand Prix, round 7, was the perfect place to show this. Nobuharu Matsushita found his form and had a race long battle with the Williams of Alexander Albon. The Japanese ultimately finished behind the Thai-Brit, but secured a much welcomed fifth. This was Matsushita's first points finish since the season opening Canadian Grand Prix.

There was a mass-pileup during the Belgian Grand Prix involving Matsushita. Most drivers made their one stop at the end of lap 10. Perez pitted for Hard tyres. At pit exit, his RB18 suffered a gearbox issue, as was stuck in second. The Mercedes behind of Russell plowed into Perez, shattering parts of the M13 all over the track. Unsighted drivers behind plowed into the wreckage. Russell, Gasly, Ocon, Albon and Matsushita all left behind their wrecked machines.

The four former would receive medical attention. The red flag was brought out, allowing Verstappen to hold the lead. Perez's fate wad sealed on the reconnaissance lap to the rolling restart, another gearbox issue holding the Mexican.

Despite being fit to race for Round 11 at Imola, Toyota made the decision to retain third driver Niko Kari for the foreseeable future. Matsushita returned for the final race of the season, and finished one place outside the points, but crucially behind the other Toyota of Pascal Wehrlein.

#### **2023**

The Japanese driver will compete in the Asian rounds of the Championship. Matsushita took over driving duties from Sette Camara firstly for the Japanese Grand Prix. The home favourites Matsushita and Tsunoda lined the 8th row. Matsushita struggled in the race and finished a lowly 17th, but saw the checkered flag unlike Magnussen.

Matsushita qualified a very strong 4th for the Bahrain Grand Prix. Matsushita's tyres were finished on lap 12 as Toyota's weakness reared its head once again. Sainz made a move for 5th past the Japanese driver. Alonso took a risk and boxed for Mediums, whilst most would opt for Hards. The battle for 5th went to the pits on lap 14, with Sainz maintaining net track position over the Toyota. The Japanese driver finished a best to date 7th.

## Racing Record (Formula One Results Only)

Results in **bold** indicate Championships won.