(Motorsports news) Nojiri, a Honda factory driver, drove the championship-winning RB16B on Saturday at Mobility Resort Motegi as a part of Sakura’s yearly end-of-year festivities. Honda referred to Nojiri’s first-ever grand prix drive as a “reward” for the 34-year-old, who drove for Team Mugen to win back-to-back Super Formula titles in 2021–2022.

This year, he raced in Red Bull’s iconic blue-and-black livery, and if he hadn’t missed the Autopolis round in May because of a collapsed run, he would have been in the running for a third straight championship. Nojiri’s F1 career came after remarks indicating he would be open to trying something new overseas. However, he then stressed that he is still excited about Super Formula and SUPER GT and is not sure if any overseas category will provide him with the same amount of enjoyment.

Max Verstappen won his first Formula One championship in 2021 thanks to the RB16B he piloted in Motegi. The season-long struggle between Hamilton and Mercedes ended in a thrilling and contentious showdown in Abu Dhabi. Sunday between 8:55 and 9:15 a.m. is when he is supposed to drive the vehicle once more as part of the “Red Bull Racing Honda RB16B x TEAM MUGEN SF23 Special collaboration.” This will also see junior Ayumu Iwasa from Red Bull/Honda, who will race with Nojiri at Mugen the following year, finish multiple laps at Motegi in the SF23.

In 2024, Nojiri is scheduled to run two campaigns in Japan: one in SUPER GT with ARTA and one in SF with Mugen. After a difficult season in both series this year, Toshiki Oyu’s future at Honda is in doubt, therefore he might have a new teammate in the latter championship next year.

Also read: Piastri: The F1 2023 will be a wilder ride than anticipated