Super Formula - Suzuka

The Suzuka Super Formula event returns to the Suzuka International Racing Course for the 2026 season. This race weekend features Japan's premier single-seater championship competing at one of the most demanding circuits in motorsport. Suzuka hosts two separate Super Formula rounds during the year, with drivers and teams battling for championship points on this challenging layout.

Suzuka International Racing Course

The Suzuka circuit stretches 5.807 kilometers through Suzuka City in Mie Prefecture. John Hugenholtz designed this track, which opened in 1962 as a Honda test facility. The circuit holds FIA Grade 1 status and features a unique figure-eight configuration. The back straight crosses over the front section via an overpass, creating the only track of its kind at this level of competition.

Drivers face 18 corners at Suzuka, with ten right-hand turns and eight left-hand turns. The high-speed 130R tests driver commitment at over 300 kilometers per hour. The Spoon Curve demands precise braking and smooth throttle application. The Esses complex requires quick directional changes and perfect rhythm. This combination of corners creates a complete challenge for Super Formula competitors.

Super Formula Technical Specifications

The Dallara SF23 chassis forms the foundation of every car on the grid. Dallara developed this chassis with updated aerodynamics to allow cars to follow each other more closely. The design reduces turbulent air for following cars while maintaining overall downforce levels. The chassis incorporates bio-composite materials that cut manufacturing CO2 emissions by approximately 75 percent compared to traditional materials.

All cars use 2.0-liter inline-4 turbocharged engines from either Honda (HR-417E) or Toyota (TRD-01F/RI4A). These power units produce over 550 horsepower and operate under fuel-flow restrictions. The cars weigh 600 kilograms dry, or 670 kilograms with the driver included. This creates a strong power-to-weight ratio that puts Super Formula among the fastest racing series globally.

The Overtake System adds strategic depth to each race. Drivers receive 200 seconds of OTS per race, which provides a 5 percent power boost. After using the system, drivers must wait 100 or 110 seconds before activating it again. Teams and drivers must plan their OTS deployment carefully to maximize overtaking opportunities. Yokohama supplies all tires for the series, ensuring equal equipment across the field.

Drivers and Teams for 2026

Twenty-four drivers compete in Super Formula during 2026. Team Mugen fields Ayumu Iwasa and Tomoki Nojiri. Docomo Team Dandelion Racing continues with Tadasuke Makino and Kakunoshin Ohta. Luke Browning drives for Realize Kondo Racing, while Kamui Kobayashi represents KDDI TGMGP TGR-DC. Kenta Yamashita competes with KCMG. Juju Noda joins the grid with Hazama Ando Triple Tree Racing. Seita Nonaka replaced Kalle Rovanperä at KCMG for the opening round after Rovanperä withdrew for medical reasons.

The standardized chassis, engines, and tires mean driver skill and team strategy determine success. Every team uses the same core components, shifting focus to setup optimization, race strategy, and driver performance. This creates close competition throughout the field.

Championship Background

Super Formula stands as Japan's top single-seater racing series and ranks as the second-fastest racing championship after Formula 1. Japan Race Promotion manages the series. The championship traces its roots to 1973 with the All-Japan Formula 2000 Championship. The series evolved through All-Japan Formula Two, All-Japan Formula 3000, and Formula Nippon before becoming Super Formula in 2013.

Suzuka has hosted Super Formula races since 1973, appearing on the calendar more than any other venue. The circuit's demanding nature and balanced layout make it a favorite among drivers. Many consider success at Suzuka a true measure of skill in Super Formula competition.

What Defines This Event

The figure-eight layout at Suzuka creates a racing environment unlike any other circuit. Drivers must master both left and right-hand corners in nearly equal measure. The layout tests every aspect of car setup and driving technique. Fast corners like 130R require courage, while technical sections demand precision.

Super Formula serves as a proving ground for drivers aiming to reach Formula 1 and provides strong competition for established international talent. The series has launched numerous careers and continues to attract skilled racers from around the globe. The equal equipment format ensures the best drivers and teams rise to the top through performance rather than technical advantage.

The series demonstrates commitment to environmental responsibility through its technical regulations. The SF23 chassis uses sustainable materials that significantly reduce production emissions. Yokohama develops carbon-neutral tires for the championship. These initiatives show how competitive motorsport can advance alongside environmental considerations.

Racing at Suzuka in Super Formula cars delivers some of the fastest lap times outside of Formula 1. The combination of high-powered single-seaters and this demanding circuit produces compelling competition. The race weekend at Suzuka promises close battles throughout the field as drivers push themselves and their machines to the limit on this historic Japanese circuit.