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Nobuharu Matsushita named McLaren test driver for 2016

Nobuharu Matsushita - new McLaren test and development driver
Image: Nobuharu Matsushita is McLaren's new test and development driver

McLaren have announced that Japan's Nobuharu Matsushita will be the team's test and development driver for 2016.

McLaren already have a reserve driver in the Belgian Stoffel Vandoorne but the 22-year-old Matsushita will concentrate on working in the simulator to support race drivers Jenson Button and Fernando Alonso, while also competing in the GP2 feeder series.

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No Japanese drivers currently compete in F1 and Matsushita said: "To step into the world of Formula 1 fulfills a boyhood dream, and is a huge step forward in my career."

The Honda-powered McLaren team are one of the biggest names in F1 but they had the worst season in their history in 2015 and have not won a race since 2012.

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