Matsushita set to stay in F2 despite losing Carlin drive
Nobuharu Matsushita looks set to contest another season of Formula 2 in 2020 despite losing his drive at Carlin to Honda protege Yuki Tsunoda.


Matsushita had initially been expected to return to the Japanese domestic scene after falling short of his target to finish in the top four of the championship last year, the minimum threshold required for him to obtain a Formula 1 superlicence.
However, he was not part of Honda’s driver line-up announcements for both SUPER GT and Super Formula earlier this month, despite appearing in post-season testing in the latter category at Suzuka in December.
Instead, Ukyo Sasahara took the place that had been earmarked for him at the Mugen SUPER GT team alongside Hideki Mutoh, while Tatiana Calderon ended up filling the Drago Corse Super Formula seat he turned down.
It’s understood Matsushita made the decision to decline the chance to represent Honda in Japan’s two premier series shortly after Christmas to pursue options to stay in F2, despite the car maker’s reluctance to bankroll another campaign in the F1 feeder category.
After he raced in Super Formula in 2018, the 26-year-old was able to secure a reprieve in F2 at Carlin with blessing from Honda.
However, the Japanese manufacturer has already announced that FIA F3 graduate Tsunoda will race at Carlin in F2 this year, effectively replacing Matsushita, and is only thought willing to underwrite a small portion of the costs for the latter to stay in the series.
Of the remaining teams with seats free for 2020, MP Motorsport has emerged as Matsushita’s most likely destination.
The Dutch outfit previously confirmed Brazilian rookie Felipe Drugovich as its first driver and has had a revamp of its engineering staff for the new season, including the recruitment of a data engineer from Prema Racing.
Should a deal be reached, it would mark Matsushita’s fifth season at GP2/F2 level. In 2019, he matched his previous best championship finish of sixth place, albeit scoring his first feature race victories at the Red Bull Ring and Monza.

Nobuharu Matsushita, Carlin
Photo by: Joe Portlock / Motorsport Images

Red Bull expects top-four for Tsunoda in F2
Lundgaard gets F2 move as Renault reveals 2020 junior roster

Latest news
How Drugovich plans on becoming Brazil's first F1 driver since 2017
With a chaotic but “pretty much perfect” FIA Formula 2 weekend in Saudi Arabia behind him, Felipe Drugovich now leads the drivers’ standings in his third crack at the series. The Brazilian driver reveals how he ended up back on the grid after what he thought would be his last year in the series, and shares his F1 aspirations.
Dennis Hauger: The Red Bull junior aiming to emulate Piastri in F2
Norwegian talent Dennis Hauger has a tough act to follow in Oscar Piastri’s footsteps on his graduation to F2 as the reigning F3 champion with Prema. Here’s what he makes of the task ahead of him.
Ranking the 10 best drivers who raced for DAMS
DAMS has been one of the most prolific teams below Formula 1 since its foundation in 1989, launching 32 drivers into grand prix racing. Following the team's sale to ex-F1 racer Charles Pic, formally closing the book on the ownership of the Driot family, Motorsport.com picks out its 10 best drivers during their spell with the team.
Why Marcus Armstrong hopes ‘coming home’ can reopen doors to F1
After a disappointing 2021, Marcus Armstrong is returning to FIA Formula 2 for another shot at the title in 2022 with Hitech – this time without the backing of Ferrari. This year, he says, he’s ready to give it his all in a last-shot bid to reach Formula 1.
The hardships that haven’t dented Logan Sargeant's F1 dream
Faced with “no options” for 2021, Logan Sargeant’s Formula 1 dream looked set to crumble. But a last-minute Formula 3 seat and a strong season secured him a Formula 2 drive for 2022. He told Motorsport.com how his transformative season affected both his personality and his future.
Oscar Piastri: The F1 junior that has run out of places to prove himself
The dominant force of the junior single-seater ranks finds himself without a drive for 2022, but it isn’t stopping Oscar Piastri from plotting his path to the top. With Alpine potentially set for a driver dilemma for 2023, the newly-crowned Formula 2 champion is ready and waiting for his F1 shot.
What next for "too politically incorrect" for F1 Ticktum?
Having by his own admission "blown my chances" of reaching Formula 1, Dan Ticktum is facing an uncertain future. A driver of unquestioned ability who has at times been his own worst enemy, can he apply his lessons and rebuild his career hopes?
How Piastri could be forced to spend 2022 on the bench
Tipped as the next big thing after winning the FIA Formula 3 championship in his rookie season, Oscar Piastri has taken Formula 2 by storm and looks set to clinch that title too. But with no Formula 1 seat available to him for next year, the Alpine junior may have to wait for his time in the spotlight…