Honda has placed a second young protege in Formula 2 for the 2018 season, with Tadasuke Makino stepping up from Formula 3 to race for Russian Time.

Makino contested his first season in Europe last year with Hitech in F3, fighting back from a mid-season injury to score his maiden podium at the Red Bull Ring.

He then did all three days of the post-season F2 test in Abu Dhabi with reigning teams’ champions Russian Time, but the squad was only confirmed to take part in the 2018 season on Thursday having been absent from an initial list of teams released in November.

By racing in F2 he will go up against fellow Honda protege and GP3 graduate Nirei Fukzumi, who will drive for Arden.