DAMS have retained Red Bull junior, Ayumu Iwasa for the 2023 FIA F2 season.
Iwasa enjoyed a strong rookie campaign this season in which he claimed Feature Race victories in France and Abu Dhabi, plus four further podium finishes and two pole positions en-route to fifth place in the drivers’ standings.
Red Bull consequently have opted to keep Iwasa in F2 for next season with DAMS retaining the 21 year-old, after a promising campaign with hope of further progress next season.
Speaking about his progress this season and getting the opportunity to continue his journey with DAMS, Iwasa commented: “I’m really happy with my first F2 season, I learned a lot during the year and we were able to improve at each race.
“It’s a great feeling to continue with DAMS for another year, I feel at home in the team and we work well together.”
Iwasa’s improvement came after a solid 2021 season in F3 with Hitech GP where he claimed one win en-route to 12th in that season’s drivers’ standings, yet the Japanese driver felt that he this season in F2 was more “… on the same page and that helped us secure plenty of strong results.”
The Red Bull junior also noted his belief in staying with DAMS will be beneficial next season, as he explained: “It’s going to be helpful to come into the new campaign in a familiar environment, along with my experience of several tracks that were new to me in 2022.”
As the highest confirmed returning driver for next season at present, Iwasa iterated that his “target is to challenge for the F2 title in 2023.”
He though has refused to think too far ahead as he explained: “We know we have the potential to achieve it, but we’re not looking too far ahead yet, instead concentrating on being ready for the start of the season.”
DAMS owner, Charles Pic added that the team were “impressed” by Iwasa’s performances and two race victories this season, so were eager to retain him for next season following discussions with Red Bull and Honda who have entrusted them with Iwasa for a second season.
On Iwasa’s target for next season, Pic added: “Ayumu proved that he has the potential to fight for the title, he was a major competitor in the second half of the season and we hope he can use this experience to kick on in 2023.”
Iwasa will partner rookie, Arthur Leclerc at DAMS in F2 next season which has excited Pic as he said: “We’ve got a strong line up with Ayumu and Arthur, so we’re hoping they can push each other to improve throughout the year.”