Back in 2013, it was revealed that Honda would resurrect its engine supply agreement with McLaren starting in 2015, giving Japanese drivers a clear route on to the European single-seater ladder for the first time since Honda and Toyota had pulled out of F1 in the wake of the 2008 global financial crisis.
F3 graduate Koudai Tsukakoshi had made it as far as testing a GP2 car in late 2008 before Honda’s bombshell left with him no option but to return to Japan, and after Toyota followed one year later, GP2 would be devoid of Japanese representation for four years.
