Former Formula 1 driver Takuma Sato, who now is forging a career in the world of Indycar, was on hand alongside Formula E Holdings‘ MD, Alberto Longo, to see the fully-electric Spark-Renault SRT_01E Formula E car make its Asian debut earlier today of the opening of the 43rd Tokyo Motor Show.

The new race car, which is still undergoing testing ahead of its debut on a city centre later on next year, was revealed to invited guests and the media in the Japanese capital, as Sato now joins current Formula E test driver Lucas di Grassi over the coming months to help develop the new cars before they are set to race at the latter part of next year.

He will join several well-known racing drivers that will assist in giving the new SRT_O1E a chance at providing all drivers that will compete a good base from which to work from.

Sato, who scored his maiden Indycar win at Long Beach earlier this season, finished 17th overall in this year’s standings, and has a depth of single-seater expertise that even has seen him compete with Super Aguri, Honda and Jordan in Formula One.

“I am very excited to be a part of the Driver’s Programme for the development of the Formula E cars,” said the 36-year-old, who insisted that the series has its fair share of potential as a welcomed form of racing. “This series provides a huge potential for the future of motor racing and electric cars. “I am sure that these fascinating new innovative multimedia contents will excite the new fans who will be watching this new series. “I am very much looking forward to driving the test car this coming winter.”

In a championship where Asia forms around a third of the calendar, a presence is clearly emerging, as the provisional calendar is still currently being perused and considered by the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council, ahead of the final decision being made about the tracks and teams that are set to comprise this new type of racing.