Super Formula - Suzuka II

The Suzuka II Super Formula event represents the 25th JAF Suzuka Grand Prix, featuring Rounds 11 and 12 of the 2026 season at Suzuka Circuit in Japan. This double-header weekend brings together the finest single-seater racing machines and drivers in Japanese motorsport for two competitive races on one of the most challenging circuits in the world.

The Suzuka Circuit Experience

Suzuka International Racing Course serves as the venue for this Super Formula event. The circuit stretches 5.807 kilometers through Mie Prefecture and features a unique figure-of-eight layout. The track crosses over itself via an overpass, making it the only FIA Grade 1 licensed facility with this configuration. This design creates balanced demands on both sides of each car.

The circuit presents several demanding sections. The Esses (Turns 3-7) test driver precision through a series of quick direction changes. The Degner Curves (Turns 8 and 9) require careful braking and positioning. The Spoon Curve (Turns 13 and 14) challenges drivers with its sweeping radius, while the fast 130R corner demands maximum commitment. Elevation changes throughout the 5.807-kilometer layout add further complexity to the driving experience.

Honda Mobilityland operates the facility, which can accommodate 155,000 spectators. The venue opened in 1962 as a test track for Honda, with Dutch architect John Hugenholtz responsible for its original design.

2026 Super Formula Competitors

The Suzuka II race weekend features a strong field of teams and drivers. Team Mugen brings reigning Drivers' Champion Ayumu Iwasa alongside two-time champion Tomoki Nojiri. Docomo Team Dandelion Racing fields Kakunoshin Ohta, who leads the 2026 Drivers' Championship, partnered with Tadasuke Makino.

Kondo Racing will debut Luke Browning, a Williams F1 Junior Driver, alongside Ukyo Sasahara. Cerumo Inging runs Sena Sakaguchi and Toshiki Oyu. Team Impul features Zak O'Sullivan, while Hazama Ando Triple Tree Racing includes female driver Juju Noda. Team Goh fields Charlie Wurz, son of former F1 driver Alexander Wurz.

KCMG competes with Kenta Yamashita and Seita Nonaka, who replaced Kalle Rovanperä following his withdrawal due to a medical condition. ROOKIE Racing enters Nirei Fukuzumi. Nakajima Racing runs Ren Sato and Igor Omura Fraga. Delightworks Racing fields Nobuharu Matsushita, while B-Max Racing Team enters reigning Super Formula Lights champion Yuto Nomura. ThreeBond Racing competes with Syun Koide, and Vantelin Team TOM'S fields Sho Tsuboi and Sacha Fenestraz.

Technical Specifications

Super Formula represents the second-fastest racing category globally, surpassed only by Formula One. The series uses the Dallara SF23 chassis, an evolution of the SF19 introduced in 2023. The chassis weighs 677 kilograms including the driver and incorporates a halo crash protection system. The SF23 features upgraded aerodynamics that improve overtaking opportunities.

All cars use 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder turbocharged engines from either Honda (HR-417E) or Toyota (TRD 01F). These power units produce over 550 horsepower and operate under fuel-flow limitations. Teams can use up to two engine units per year, with any additional usage resulting in a 10-grid penalty.

Yokohama Rubber (ADVAN) supplies all tires for the series. Since 2023, Super Formula has used carbon-neutral tires manufactured with 33 percent sustainable materials. Teams receive three new and three carryover sets of dry tires for the first race at Suzuka II, and two new and four carryover sets for the second race.

The SF23 chassis features fixed aerodynamic elements during races, with no movable aero components. Teams can adjust the floor height and the end shape of the diffuser, which significantly impacts performance. Super Formula cars achieve cornering speeds that exceed those of Formula One cars in many situations.

Championship Heritage

The Super Formula Championship traces its origins to 1973 when it began as the All-Japan Formula 2000 Championship. The series evolved through multiple iterations, including All-Japan Formula Two, All-Japan Formula 3000, and Formula Nippon, before adopting the Super Formula name in 2013. The championship represents the highest level of single-seater racing in Japan.

Suzuka Circuit has hosted more Super Formula rounds than any other venue since the series began in 1973. The track traditionally hosts two events each season, with the JAF Suzuka Grand Prix typically serving as the season finale. Over its six decades of operation, Suzuka has undergone numerous modifications to enhance safety while maintaining its challenging character. Notable changes include the addition of the Casio Triangle chicane in 1983 and the re-profiling of the high-speed 130R corner in 2002.

What Makes Suzuka II Special

The Suzuka II Super Formula event combines world-class racing machinery with a demanding circuit that tests every aspect of driver and car performance. The double-header format creates two opportunities for teams to score points, with tire allocation strategies playing a crucial role across both races. The figure-of-eight layout provides unique racing scenarios that differ from standard circuit configurations.

Super Formula continues to gain recognition as an important competition globally. The series attracts top drivers and serves as a valuable step for those pursuing Formula One careers. The combination of high-performance cars, skilled drivers, and the technical demands of Suzuka Circuit produces competitive racing with frequent position changes.

A joint test for the 2026 Super Formula season took place at Suzuka Circuit in February 2026, allowing teams and drivers to develop their setups for this venue. This event promises close competition across both races as teams and drivers push their limits on one of motorsport's most respected circuits.