TGM Grand Prix has revealed it’s in talks with former Formula 1 driver Daniil Kvyat to take over the Super Formula seat vacated by Nobuharu Matsushita.
The Honda-powered TGM team fielded former Formula 2 driver Matsushita alongside Juju Noda in the primary three rounds of the season but withdrew as a result of lack of funding.
Hiroki Otsu was brought in to interchange Matsushita for the fourth round of the season at Fuji, with TGM subsequently confirming his contract until the top of the yr.
However, before a choice was made on Otsu's seat, TGM boss Kazuhiro Ikeda stated ahead of the in-season test leading as much as the Fuji race that the team was in negotiations with an unnamed international driver to take over Matsushita's seat.
In an interview with Motorsport.com, Ikeda confirmed that the motive force in query was Kwiat, but added that complications with obtaining the crucial visa prevented the deal from being concluded.
“As a Japanese team, we can’t hire him,” Ikeda said. “He can get a visa and enter Japan, but he can’t work [and receive a salary].
“The team can’t pay him directly, and he feels that if he can’t receives a commission, there’s no point in him coming here. That was the largest problem.
“I asked him to discuss it with his sponsors, but the obstacles were too great.”
Juju, TGM Grand Prix
Photo: Masahide Kamio
In response, Kvyat rejected the suggestion that he couldn’t obtain a piece visa due to his Russian citizenship.
“There is nothing to stop me working in Japan, provided I get a proper employment contract,” he told Motorsport.com.
“What prevented me from making my Super Formula debut with the team I used to be negotiating with [TGM] was related to unsuccessful negotiations between the sponsor and the team.
“As for me personally, I still want to race in Super Formula and I am open to further discussions and negotiations.”
Kvyat first revealed to Motorsport.com his desire to race in Super Formula last yr and through post-season testing at Suzuka he seemed set to drive for fellow Honda outfit Nakajima Racing, but a deal fell through relatively late within the season.
He added that he would love so as to add a second programme to his schedule alongside his current Lamborghini World Endurance Championship commitments, having had the chance to check the Dallara SF23 as a part of his test role within the Abu Dhabi-based autonomous A2RL series.
Ikeda added that the choice to maintain Otsu within the automotive until the top of the season was dictated by the will to return TGM to its 2023 baseline form.
Last yr Otsu raced for Japanese team Servus at Fuji, replacing the injured Toshiki Oyu, and impressed the team along with his high level of technical ability.
“We felt we had lost our sense of organization, so we formed Otsu to try to get back to where we were in the middle of last year,” Ikeda said.
“He knows how the car should behave, so we wanted to use his experience. And we didn't want to keep changing drivers, because that's not good for the fans or the championship.”
Otsu finished fifteenth within the Motegi race last month, while TGM have didn’t rating any points since Matsushita finished eighth within the opening round at Suzuka in March.
This article was updated on September 6 with comments provided to Motorsport.com by Daniil Kvyat and extra clarification.
