Red Bull has confirmed its five-member junior team line-up for 2017, with Formula 1 reserve driver and reigning GP2 champion Pierre Gasly to compete in Super Formula.
Gasly clinched the GP2 crown but was overlooked for a Formula 1 role with Toro Rosso and will instead continue to act as Red Bull’s reserve driver.
Gasly's path mirrors that of McLaren's Stoffel Vandoorne, who also competed in the Japan-based Super Formula championship after winning the GP2 title.
Elsewhere, Niko Kari will compete in GP3 with Arden, with Richard Verschoor moving into Formula Renault 2.0.
Red Bull has also recruited Dan Ticktum and Neil Verhagen to its scheme, the duo moving into Formula Renault 2.0
The confirmed line-up means that 2016 members Sérgio Sette Câmara and Luis Leeds have been dropped from the scheme.
Motorsport Week understands that this does not impact on Sette Câmara's 2017 programme, and that he will compete in GP2 with MP Motorsport as planned.
“This a big new challenge for me and that is exactly what I love,” said Gasly.
“For sure Japan is special. I went to the Grand Prix at Suzuka in 2015 as part of my work with Red Bull so I have an idea of what to expect.
“It is all going to be very different, I have no experience with the car or the tracks and I know that the Japanese culture, philosophy, way of working, just about everything is different."
"In a way I am following what Stoffel did last year before going into F1. It is more experience to add to the GP2 campaign last year.
“I am also really pleased to be third driver at Red Bull for another season, to work closely with Max [Verstappen] and Daniel [Ricciardo], gaining more experience on how the team works, how they behave at the GPs.
“There is a lot to learn about the new car and new regulations, it is all very valuable."
On his move into GP3 with Arden, Kari said: "I don't think GP3 is such a big jump from F3, sure it will be a different style of driving, the biggest difference is the tyres, tyre management will be a big part of it and I am looking forward to that challenge, I think I can do a good job of looking after the tyres."
Red Bull's junior team 2017:
Pierre Gasly (20, FRA) – Red Bull Racing reserve driver; Super Formula, team TBC
Niko Kari (17, FIN) – GP3 with Arden
Richard Verschoor (16, NED) – Formula Renault 2.0 with MP Motorsport
Dan Ticktum (17, GB) – Formula Renault 2.0 with Arden
Neil Verhagen (15, USA) – Formula Renault 2.0 with MP Motorsport
