Japanese driver Marino Sato joins Team Motopark for the 2017 FIA F3 championship.
Unlike most of his fellow countrymen, Marino Sato started his formula racing career straight away in Europe in the Italian Formula 4 championship in 2015. He spent two years in the category with Vicenzo Sospiri Racing and gathered one win and two podiums. In 2015, he already tested for several F3 teams, including Motopark, but eventually chose to remain in F4. He comments on his move:
“I have decided to race a full season with Motopark in the FIA F3 European Championship. Doing well in the FIA F3 European Championship means that you can jump up to Formula One, but it also signifies that it is a very challenging championship. I am going to be a rookie so I know that it’s not going to be an easy task.”
Team Motopark principal, Timo Rumpkfeil, adds:
“We are very pleased that Marino Sato will drive with us. The first time we had a sequence of tests was at the end of 2015, and he performed really well. Since then we have stayed in constant touch. We are certain that he will deliver good results during his rookie year, since he has shown some great speed during the winter tests already. And we are honoured to have a rising Japanese talent racing for us again.”
Sato joins 2016 rookie champion Jimmy Eriksson and German Keyvan Andres Soori in a so far three-seat line-up.