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| Nobuharu Matsushita | |
|---|---|
| Name | Nobuharu Matsushita |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Birth date | 1993-06-06 |
| Birth place | Yokkaichi, Mie, Japan |
| Current series | Super Formula |
| Former teams | ART Grand Prix, Trident, Carlin, Team Impul |
Nobuharu Matsushita is a Japanese professional racing driver active in single-seaters and sports car disciplines, notable for competing in international series and domestic championships. He has raced in GP2 Series, FIA Formula 2 Championship, Super Formula, and Super GT, driving for teams affiliated with major organizations and manufacturers. Matsushita progressed from karting through European junior formulae to become a regular contender in top-level Japanese motorsport events.
Matsushita was born in Yokkaichi, Mie, Japan, and began karting in regional events that fed into pathways associated with All-Japan Karting Championship, Suzuka Circuit, Twin Ring Motegi, Fuji Speedway, and other circuits. Early competitive outings put him alongside contemporaries from Japan Automobile Federation feeder programs, competing at rounds connected to CIK-FIA, Asian Karting Championship, and international events at Adria International Raceway and Circuit Paul Ricard. His early development involved testing programs linked to teams influenced by Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and independent outfits collaborating with Yokohama and Bridgestone suppliers.
Matsushita moved into single-seaters in series such as Formula Challenge Japan and the European ladder, appearing in championships that included Formula BMW, Formula Renault, and Formula 3 events at venues like Silverstone Circuit, Monza, and Hockenheimring. He raced against drivers who advanced to Formula One, IndyCar Series, Formula E, and World Endurance Championship levels, and tested equipment provided by constructors linked to Dallara, Mygale, and Tatuus. Participation in winter testing and series calendars connected him to academies run by Red Bull Junior Team, McLaren Young Driver Programme, and manufacturer-backed initiatives from Renault Sport Academy and Ferrari Driver Academy.
Matsushita entered GP2 Series and the rebranded FIA Formula 2 Championship with teams including ART Grand Prix, Trident, and Carlin, competing on circuits shared with Formula One such as Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Monaco Grand Prix circuit, and Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. He contested rounds alongside drivers from Williams Racing, Scuderia Ferrari, Mercedes-AMG Petronas, and Red Bull Racing junior ranks, and raced during support events at British Grand Prix, Monaco Grand Prix, and Belgian Grand Prix. His campaigns involved testing protocols overseen by series regulators linked to FIA World Motor Sport Council and race operations coordinated with promoters like FOM and circuit owners such as Motorsport Vision.
Returning to Japan, Matsushita joined Super Formula with outfits including Team Impul and other entries competing at circuits like Suzuka Circuit, Fuji Speedway, Twin Ring Motegi, and Autopolis. He raced against drivers from Japan National Team, former Formula One competitors, and international talent migrating from European Formula 3 and GP2/F2. His Super Formula tenure connected him to suppliers and partners like Dallara, Pirelli, and championship promoters such as Japan Race Promotion and corporate partners tied to Honda and Toyota motorsport programs.
In Super GT, Matsushita drove GT500 and GT300 machinery for manufacturer-associated teams partnering with Nissan, Honda, and Lexus, competing at events like the Suzuka 1000km, Fuji GT 500km, and international rounds supported by promoters including GT Association. He teamed with co-drivers drawn from JAF-licensed competitors, endurance specialists from FIA World Endurance Championship, and guest entrants with ties to Blancpain Endurance Series and IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. His Super GT efforts involved collaboration with technical partners such as Motul, Shell, Castrol, and chassis builders with histories at Nismo and Mugen.
Matsushita's driving style has been described in coverage alongside peers from Japan, United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Germany who made similar transitions between European and Japanese series. Commentators comparing him to alumni from Super Formula and FIA F2 cite attributes associated with drivers who progressed to Formula One or endurance racing, referencing tire management expertise seen in contexts like Le Mans Series and qualifying pace displayed at GP2/F2 events. Teams and engineers from organizations such as Team Impul, ART Grand Prix, and Carlin have noted his feedback and adaptability during tests at venues like Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours and Portimão Circuit.
Matsushita's record comprises starts, wins, podiums, poles, and fastest laps across series coordinated by bodies including FIA, JAF, and international promoters. His statistics reflect participation in seasons running concurrently with championships such as Formula 2, Super Formula, and Super GT, and include results recorded at circuits like Suzuka Circuit, Monza, Spa-Francorchamps, Silverstone, and Fuji Speedway. Career movements and results have been reported in media outlets and databases affiliated with organizations like Motorsport.com, Autosport, Jalopnik, and national broadcasters covering Super GT and Super Formula.
Category:Japanese racing drivers Category:Super Formula drivers Category:Super GT drivers Category:FIA Formula 2 Championship drivers