Japan's First Full Time Driver

Satoru Nakajima became the first Japanese driver to race a full Formula One season, driving for Lotus and Tyrrell from 1987 to 1991.

Born in Okazaki, Satoru Nakajima won five Japanese Formula Two titles before Lotus signed him for 1987 alongside Ayrton Senna. His debut at the Brazilian Grand Prix made him the first Japanese driver to race full time in Formula One, and he scored points in his second race, at San Marino, before finishing fourth at the British Grand Prix.

He stayed at Lotus through 1989, finishing fourth again at the Australian Grand Prix that year and setting the fastest lap in the rain. Two seasons with Tyrrell followed, and he retired after the 1991 Australian Grand Prix with 74 starts. He later ran his own team, Nakajima Racing, in Japanese racing.

0 world titles, 0 wins, 0 pole positions, 74 starts.

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