Super Formula - Motegi

The Super Formula race at Motegi returns for the 2026 season, bringing Japan's premier open-wheel racing series to one of the country's most respected circuits. Mobility Resort Motegi, formerly known as Twin Ring Motegi, will host this round of the championship, featuring the fastest single-seater racing cars in Japan. The 2026 edition will be a special "2&4 Race" format, combining Super Formula with the JSB1000 class of the All Japan Road Race Championship.

The Circuit

Mobility Resort Motegi sits in Tochigi Prefecture, approximately 100 kilometers north of Tokyo. Honda Motor Co., Ltd. owns and operates this facility, which opened in August 1997. The complex features a unique twin-track layout that includes a 4.8-kilometer road course and a 2.5-kilometer oval track. The road course passes under the oval twice, creating a distinctive configuration.

The main road course serves as the venue for Super Formula competition. Engineers can divide this circuit into two smaller tracks: a 3.4-kilometer East Road Course with 11 turns and a 1.4-kilometer West Road Course with 6 turns. The facility accommodates up to 68,156 spectators.

Competitors and Teams

Ayumu Iwasa will defend his Super Formula title with Team Mugen in 2026. Tomoki Nojiri will serve as his teammate at Mugen. Tadasuke Makino and Kakunoshin Ohta continue their partnership at Dandelion Racing, while Igor Fraga joins Nakajima Racing alongside Ren Sato.

The 2026 season brings several notable driver changes. Kalle Rovanperä will make his Super Formula debut after transitioning from rallying, driving for KCMG with Kenta Yamashita. Zak O'Sullivan joins Team Impul, while Kamui Kobayashi moves to TGM Grand Prix. Charlie Wurz will represent Team Goh, and Yuto Nomura will compete with B-Max Racing.

A total of 14 teams will participate in the 2026 championship. Honda and Toyota supply the engines, with Honda providing the HR-417E and Toyota offering the TRD-01F. Yokohama supplies tires for all competitors, and every team uses the Dallara SF23 chassis.

Technical Specifications

Super Formula cars feature standardized components across all entries. The regulations prohibit independent modifications, ensuring competitive parity. Each car uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engine that produces over 550 horsepower. The Dallara chassis incorporates advanced aerodynamic features.

The series includes a push-to-pass system for strategic racing. The 2026 season introduces Overtake mode, which provides 0.5MJ of additional electrical energy to drivers within one second of the car ahead when crossing designated activation zones. Active aerodynamics allow the rear wing flap to open on straights, reducing drag.

These cars can exceed speeds of 300 kilometers per hour. The combination of high power output, advanced aerodynamics, and lightweight construction makes Super Formula among the fastest single-seater categories globally.

Series Background

The championship traces its origins to 1973 when it began as the All-Japan Formula 2000 Championship. The series evolved through several iterations: the All-Japan Formula Two Championship from 1978 to 1986, and the All-Japan Formula 3000 Championship from 1987 to 1995. In 1996, organizers restructured the series as Formula Nippon Championship.

The series adopted the Super Formula name in 2013 to increase global recognition. Honda built Twin Ring Motegi in 1997 to strengthen open-wheel racing in Japan, initially attracting the IndyCar Series to the country. The venue was renamed Mobility Resort Motegi in March 2022.

Super Formula has served as a development path for Japanese drivers aspiring to reach Formula 1. The championship attracts a mix of experienced Japanese competitors, international talent, and Formula 1 affiliates looking for competitive racing experience. The 2026 season promises close competition between established champions and new challengers across multiple race weekends at circuits throughout Japan.