The Individual Operating the Hydrogen-Powered Vehicle, Enhancing Morizo's Driving Skills

In the world of car racing and development, Masahiro Sasaki is a name that stands out. As a Level 2 Automotive Technician and development driver for new models and tires, Sasaki is a key figure in shaping Toyota's future vehicles.

Sasaki's insights are shared on the platform, Toyota Times Athletes Now, where he discusses the role of drivers in a car's evolution and the potential of hydrogen-powered engines. During his latest appearance on the show, he emphasized the importance of dialogue between drivers and cars in creating responsive vehicles.

One of Sasaki's most notable achievements was the use of the hydrogen-powered Corolla in the Super Taikyu racing event. He finds data analysis easier for understanding performance compared to relying on feelings, a method he uses to meticulously communicate with Akio Toyoda, the President of Toyota, after every race.

Akio Toyoda, who is also a racer and an endurance racing teammate of Sasaki, values Sasaki's insights. In fact, Toyoda's final checks on cars raise the bar for production cars, making them safer, more reliable, and more fun to drive. Sasaki acknowledges Toyoda's impressive driving data, even though he is not a professional driver.

Sasaki's role in car development involves receiving input, processing it, and converting the output through hand and foot movements to create cars that respond accordingly. He believes that this approach ensures that drivers can tell that vehicles were made by passionate car enthusiasts, which is his goal as a racer and developer.

In November 2021, Sébastien Buemi, a Toyota Gazoo Racing driver, had a live studio broadcast on Toyota Times Athletes Now. Masahiro Sasaki appeared on the November 17 edition of the show, where he was introduced as the person who helps make Toyota President Akio Toyoda a better driver.

Toyota Times Athletes Now streams live on YouTube every Wednesday at midday (in Japanese, followed by an English subtitled version). If you're a car enthusiast, this show is definitely worth a watch to gain insights into the world of racing and car development from experts like Masahiro Sasaki.

Sasaki also suggests that electrification may be the way towards carbon neutrality, but hydrogen-powered engines offer an opportunity for car lovers. He discussed the potential of hydrogen-powered engines during his appearance on Toyota Times Athletes Now, stating they deliver the same impact and excitement as conventional engines without CO2 emissions.

In conclusion, Masahiro Sasaki's insights on car development and racing are shaping the future of Toyota vehicles. His dedication to ensuring that drivers can feel the passion of the car enthusiasts who built their vehicles is evident in his work. With his expertise in hydrogen-powered engines and his emphasis on dialogue between drivers and cars, Sasaki is a driving force in the automotive industry.

The Individual Operating the Hydrogen-Powered Vehicle, Enhancing Morizo's Driving Skills