Honda won’t force Gasly to race in Super Formula

Honda says it will not force Pierre Gasly to contest the Super Formula title decider and is happy for him to race for Toro Rosso in the United States Grand Prix.

After Toro Rosso named Gasly and Daniil Kvyat as its drivers in Austin due to Carlos Sainz being released to replace Jolyon Palmer at Renault, it was reported that Honda was pushing for Gasly to see out the Super Formula season. The Frenchman is second in the championship by just half a point ahead of the final race weekend at Suzuka, but that event clashes with the USGP.

While unsure what Toro Rosso plans on doing for the race at Circuit of The Americas, the general manager of Honda motorsport Masashi Yamamoto says he will have no issue with Gasly (pictured below) remaining in F1 rather than returning for the title decider in Japan.

"Before the Sainz move, we said we wanted Gasly to race for us in Super Formula," Yamamoto told RACER. "But now it's a fact that Gasly has to drive in the U.S. instead of Sainz.

"We think the priority is Formula 1, obviously. It's the top category. If there is any case that someone else can race instead of Gasly, then obviously we would by happy to have him in Super Formula but Formula 1 is the priority."

However, Yamamoto did admit there is a chance that Gasly won't race in Austin if Toro Rosso opts to use a different driver, suggesting the announcement of the team's driver line-up was premature.

"There is a potential driver who could drive in Austin who is under discussion. We are not really sure if he can do it or not, so if he can then we're happy to have Gasly in Super Formula, but if it's not possible then Gasly should drive in Austin."

Asked if the decision is up to Toro Rosso, Yamamoto replied: "They are going to give us their decision next week.

"We have already discussed it and now we are just waiting for the answer. It's easier to find a Super Formula driver than a Formula 1 driver!"