Although will any of these prospects succeed to the
Pinnicle of Motorsport?
As my working title was Japanese Drivers
Logjam…
Japan has a long, storied history with formula
1. As the very first Japanese driver to Enter a international Federation
Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) sanctioned race fifty years ago was
Hiroshi Fushida, who failed on both of His entries with the uncompetitive Maki
Engineering F101 normally aspirated 3.0-liter Ford-Cosworth DFV V-8 racecar.
Hiroshi’s Cossie’ lump’ “Done blown Up!” at
that year’s Dutch Grand Prix, for which the team didn’t have a spare motor! And
then He failed to qualify (DNQ) at the 1975 British Grand Prix.
Hiroshi also contested the SCCA’s Can Am and
Trans Am series Stateside. And made history alongside countryman Tetsu Ikuzawa,
when they became the first two Japanese drivers to compete in the 24 Heurs du
Mans. Driving a Mazda Wankel rotary
powered Sigma MS73 (SARD) in the 1973 event.
Japan’s first Formula 1 race was the epic 1976
Japanese Grand Prix at Fuji Speedway, where a further four Japanese drivers
entered their country’s inaugural Grand Prix; Masahiro Hasemi, Kazuyoshi Hoshino, Masani Kuwashina and
Noritake Takahara.
Although reputedly Kuwashina’s
sponsorship Cheque failed to materialize, scratching Him from competing, i.e.
DNS. (Did Not Start) Being replaced by Hans Binder.
Whilst Hasemi,
Hoshino and Takahara all contested the race, becoming Japan’s first three
Formula 1 drivers. Although I’d surmise this accomplishment was totally
overshadowed by that year’s Mega’ F1 Drivers championship showdown between Niki
Lauda and Jame Hunt, which is wonderfully documented in ‘lil Ronnie
Howard’sexcellent Rush movie…
Kazuyoshi Hoshino’s nickname was “The Fastest Man
in Japan”, which is pretty “Heady” suff!
Reportedly there have
been 21 Japanese drivers to attempt a Grand Prix to date, with 18 making
starts. Which I won’t attempt chronicling! Other than three have stood on the
third step of the podium. First Aguri Suzuki in1990. Followed by arguably
Japan’s “Greatest” driver Takuma sato in 2004. And finally K-Squared’, aka
Kamui Kobayashi in 2012. With Kamui now firmly established as a Sports Car
star; including a World Endurance Championship (WEC) title and 24 Heurs du Mans
and Rolex 24 wins to His credit.
Currently, Yuki
Tsunoda is the only Japanese driver competing in Formula 1, entering His fifth
season driving for thee ‘lil bullz’, aka Racing Bulls. Which you’d have to say
that Tsunoda’s inclusion in Formula 1 is backed by Red Bull’s engine, Err Power
Unit (PU) supplier Honda. Even if Honda “withdrew” from full Factory F1
involvement at the end of 2021.
Yuki did finish a very respectable fourth
overall in FIA Formula 3, and third overall in Formula 2 with Four poles and
three wins before graduating to then AlphaTauri in 2021. Yet with Honda
becoming Aston Martin’s Werk’s PU supplier beginning next year, the only option
I “See” for Tsunoda is becoming one of Aston Martin’s reserve drivers.
But Felipe Drugovich, the 2022 FIA F2 champion
has been the team’s reserve driver since 2023. And obviously neither Fernando
Alonso or Lance Stroll seem intent on departing Formula 1 anytime soon…
Ironically,
Tsunoda turns 25 one day after Helio Castroneves 50th birthday on May 10th…
Ritomo Miyata who turns 26 this August, appears
to be Japan’s best bet for joining the F1 Circus in the future. As Miyata will
contest His sophomore season of F2 this year driving for ART Grand Prix. (#15)
Having finished P19 overall last year for Rodin Motorsport.
Ritomo is a member of the Toyota Gazoo Racing
(TGR) Driver Challenge programme, along with being a multiple title winner.
Having won both the Super formula and Super GT Championships in 2023. Along
with the 2020 Super Formula Lights and 2016-2017 Japanese Formula 4 titles.
Miyata was diagnosed with Autism early in life
and is an ardent “gamer”. Having won some 500 iSports races!
Thanks to Toyota’s technical partnership with
the Haas F1 Team, Miyata tested a Haas
VF-23 at Jerez recently. Where race drivers Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman ran
one day apiece, with Ritomo getting valuable “Seat-time” at the end of each
day.
Although
Miyata’s trajectory seems aimed more for eventual Hypercar duty in the WEC for
Toyota, unless a seat on the Formula 1 grid opens up…
Although Ayumu Iwasa, who currently competes in
Super Formula might have something to say about that . As the 23yr old Red Bull
Junior Driver and Honda Formula Dream Project member has already tallied two
seasons in formula 2. Finishing fifth and fourth overall respectively between
2022-23. And finished fifth overall last year during His rookie Super Formula
campaign.
Ayumu helped make “Waves” at last year’s
Japanese grand Prix, driving in His first Free Practice outing during FP1.
Driving alongside Racing Bulls “teammate” Tsunoda. Having last tested for RB
during last year’s Abu Dhabi Young Drivers test.
Ryo Hirakawa (Age 31) is a Toyota Werks’ (TGR)
FIA World Endurance Championship driver, having won two WEC titles along with the
2022 24 Hours of Le Mans. And was announced this January as an Alpine F1 test
and reserve driver.
As I’m guessing the latter has something to do
with team principal Oliver Oakes and Hitech Racing’s involvement with TGR in
it’s Junior Open Wheel Racing categories. As Hitech TGR competes in both the
FIA Formula 2 and Formula 3 Championships.
Interestingly, and this is purely conjecture on
my part. But this arrangement gives Toyota two possible paths to future Formula
1 involvement. But that’s just pure conjecture Folks!
Lastly, Kakunoshin Ohta made His IMSA GTP debut
at this year’s Rolex 24 as part of Meyer shank Racing’s No. 93 Acura ARX06
entry. As the 25yr old Japanese Sports Car driver will also drive the No. 93 at
this year’s Watkins Glen and Indianapolis endurance rounds.
Kakunoshin also recently tested for era
Motorsports, aboard it’s No. 18 LMP2 entry during the Pre-Sebring 12 Hours test
in February. And was slated to ad further LMP2 outing to His busy 2025 schedule.
Then naturally, as I was putting this story to
bed, word came that indeed Ohta would race for Era Motorsports at both the Sebring
12 Hours and later Road America races in the LMP2 category. With HRC US further
cementing it’s “ties” with Era Motorsports in a collabourative effort to
promote young Japanese drivers to Sports car racing. As Era has already
restored previous Acura Sports Car prototypes for Historic Racing…
This is just further speculation. But with HRC US (Honda Racing Corporation) President David Salters recently noting how Honda would like to take it’s Acura GTP racecar to Le Mans, could we see Iwasa or Ohta as part of the drivers lineup?
