Matsushita returns for 2019 season with Carlin

Nobuharu Matsushita will return to the FIA Formula 2 championship in 2019 with Carlin. The Japanese driver last competed in the 2017 season, but also took part in the 2015 and 2016 seasons when the series was known as GP2.

Matsushita picked up four wins across his three-year stint with ART. This year, he completed a full season of Super Formula with Docomo Team Dandelion Racing, but only grabbed two-point paying position finishes.

However he will now return with Carlin, who won the team's championship this year with Lando Norris and Sergio Sette Camara: “I am extremely excited to be returning to the FIA Formula 2 Championship where I feel I have unfinished business," Matsushita said.

"Carlin have done a fantastic job this season to take the teams’ title and second in the drivers’ standings. We will be working hard from the outset this week to prepare a strong campaign for 2019.  Thank you to Honda for their continued support and presenting me with such a great opportunity.”

The Honda junior will be targeting success that will see him receive enough points for a super licence that could open the Formula 1 door “We are thrilled to welcome Nobu to the team for the 2019 FIA F2 season," team boss Trevor Carlin said. "He is an exciting driver to watch and we believe he will be a great asset to the team.

"He’s already a race winner in the championship so we know that together we are more than capable of providing a really strong showing next season.  We’re extremely proud to be working with Honda again and to have been entrusted with such a promising Honda Junior driver.”