Twenty Japanese drivers have made it to Formula 1. The country has traditionally shown an unwavering dedication to supporting its young talent, and every year manufacturers spend millions on this effort. But Japan's wait for a Formula 1 victory has been a long one.

Kamui Kobayashi, Satoru Nakajima, Takuma Sato and Aguri Suzuki have all delivered fastest laps, podiums, front-row starts and/or points in F1 or, in Kobayashi's case, all of the above. Kobayashi exited five years ago, but could Japan's quest for a new superstar talent finally be coming to an end?

It's been no secret that Honda has wanted to use its support of Toro Rosso and latterly Red Bull to get one of its drivers into an F1 seat.