Honda Team Asia have announced their rider line-up for 2022 with Indonesia's Mario Aji and Japan's Taiyo Furusato both set to make their full debuts next year. 'Super Mario' moves up from the FIM Junior Moto3™ World Championship, where he's been a regular front-runner for the past couple of seasons, whilst Furusato will hope to make the jump as the 2021 Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup winner.
The young Japanese rider leads the title chase with two rounds remaining in Indonesia, but has some European experience already after taking a stunning victory on his Red Bull Rookies Cup debut in Mugello earlier this year. Aji, meanwhile, is in a race against time to be fit for the opening round of the year in Qatar after breaking his femur last week whilst training.
Mario Aji: "Of course, I am delighted and excited to face next season, one of the dreams that my father and I dreamed of since childhood was racing in the World Championship. I will not waste this golden opportunity that is already in my hands. Learning and making progress in each race is my target, and the results will come naturally. I want to thank everyone involved, especially my family, who have been very supportive from the first race. I will fight to make a dad's dream come true."
Taiyo Furusato: "I'm glad to be in the World Championship next season. It will be a big challenge for me. Everything will be the first time: new team, new bike, new circuits. I'm sure it will be a difficult season. But I would like to thank everyone who is supporting my family and me. I cannot say anything about the results yet, and I just can say that I will do my best."
Hiroshi Aoyama, Honda Team Asia Manager: "In Moto3, next 2022 season, we will have brand new riders, Mario Suryo Aji, coming from Astra Honda Racing Team and Taiyo Furusato, from the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup. Mario will do the step from the Moto3 Junior World Championship. He has a great ability to ride any bike on a good level; we believe in his potential and future steps. Taiyo, in the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup, as well as in Red Bull Rookies Cup, has shown his potential and spirit, impressing with rising results and performance this season in both championships. We are very interested to see both riders in the World Championship. It will be a big step for both, but it will be a good experience; we cannot wait to see them in action."