Gran Turismo world champion and Super Formula ambassador Igor Fraga will make a step up to Japan’s premier open-wheel series in 2024, securing a reserve seat at Ponos Nakajima Racing.
Fraga raced in the junior Super Formula Lights category in 2023, securing fourth place overall in the championship after some frustrating weekends with mechanical issues. Nonetheless, he did take one race win — at Sugo — as well as six other podium finishes.
Ponos Nakajima Racing announced Fraga’s unusual position with its own team and car livery announcement earlier today, as well as confirming the new team name for 2024 courtesy of sponsorship from video game developer Ponos.
That will see the car transform from a largely white, blue and red design to an orange and navy livery inspired by the Ponos branding. It will also sport the logo of Nyanko Daisensou (Battle Cats), the popular mobile tower defense game for which Ponos is best known.
An individual reserve driver on a Super Formula team is unusual. In 2023 Hiroki Otsu filled in as a substitute on three occasions and for three different teams — including the then-named TCS Nakajima Racing after Naoki Yamamoto sustained spinal injuries in a crash at Sugo.
However Fraga will now be positioned to replace either Ren Sato in the #65 car or Yamamoto in the #64 should the circumstances arise in 2024, alongside potential testing duties.
Quoted in the team’s official press release, Fraga commented: “I am filled with gratitude to everyone involved for giving me the opportunity to participate as a reserve driver”, adding that he’ll be accompanying the team to all of the races and learning as much about the Honda-powered SF23 as he can.
It’s set to be another busy year on the racetrack as Fraga has also been confirmed to return to Super GT with the Anest Iwata team, racing the GT300-class Lexus RC F GT3 for a second season.
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