Fuji II

The Fuji II Super Formula race weekend represents the second visit of the 2026 championship season to Fuji International Speedway. This double-header event features two races at one of Japan's most celebrated racing venues. The 2026 Super Formula Championship marks the 54th season of premier Japanese single-seater motor racing and the 14th season under the Super Formula name. Fans can expect close competition between 22 drivers using identical chassis and two different engine manufacturers.

Fuji International Speedway Circuit Details

Fuji International Speedway sits at the base of Mount Fuji in Oyama, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan. The circuit measures 4.563 kilometers (2.835 miles) in length and contains 16 turns. Hermann Tilke redesigned the track, which reopened in 2005. The main straight stretches approximately 1.475 kilometers (0.917 miles), making it one of the longest straights in motorsports. Cars regularly exceed 300 km/h on this straight, creating strong overtaking opportunities into Turn 1.

The circuit holds an FIA Grade 1 license. Modern grandstands accommodate approximately 50,000 spectators, while extensive grass areas can host over 100,000 fans. The venue's elevated location sits approximately 550-600 meters above sea level, creating a unique microclimate that can bring cooler temperatures, increased moisture, and occasional fog compared to surrounding regions. Mount Fuji provides a striking backdrop to racing action.

Race Format and Schedule

The 2026 Super Formula season includes 12 rounds across seven race weekends. Five of these weekends are double-headers, including both visits to Fuji Speedway. Each race covers a minimum distance of 250 kilometers. The Fuji II event follows a standard Super Formula weekend format.

Weekend Structure

Saturday features a one-hour free practice session followed by a three-part qualifying session (Q1, Q2, Q3). Sunday begins with a 30-minute warm-up session before the main race. All races require a mandatory pit stop for tire changes, adding strategic variation to race outcomes. Fixed pit windows are adjusted according to track length.

Points System

Points are awarded to the top ten finishers in each race. First place receives 20 points, second place gets 15 points, third place earns 11 points, fourth place receives 8 points, fifth place gets 6 points, sixth place earns 5 points, seventh place receives 4 points, eighth place gets 3 points, ninth place earns 2 points, and tenth place receives 1 point. The pole position qualifier earns one additional point.

Technical Specifications

Super Formula operates as a spec series, ensuring competitive parity. All teams use the same chassis with engines supplied by two manufacturers.

Chassis

Every team uses the Dallara SF23 chassis. The SF23 continues into the 2026 season without updates, extending its lifespan to control costs. The chassis features advanced aerodynamics that reduce out-wash effects, allowing cars to follow each other more closely. The cowl material incorporates hemp, reducing CO2 emissions during manufacturing by approximately 75 percent.

Engines

Two manufacturers supply 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four engines. Honda provides the HR-417E engine, while Toyota provides the TRD-01F engine. Eleven teams use Honda engines, and eleven teams use Toyota engines. These engines produce over 550 horsepower. Teams are limited to two engine units per season. Any additional engine use results in a 10-grid penalty.

Tires

Yokohama supplies carbon-neutral control tires for all competitors. The tires contain 33 percent sustainable materials. For double-header weekends, teams can use a total of 6 sets of dry tires per race weekend (3 new, 3 carryover), with specific allocation rules for each race. Six new sets of wet weather tires are also available.

Overtake System

Super Formula cars feature an Overtake System (OTS) that provides temporary power boosts. Drivers can activate this system strategically to facilitate passing maneuvers.

Participants in the 2026 Season

The 2026 Super Formula Championship fields 22 drivers across multiple teams. Ayumu Iwasa returns as the defending champion, driving for Team Mugen with Honda power. Tomoki Nojiri also races for Team Mugen. Docomo Team Dandelion Racing fields Kakunoshin Ohta and Tadasuke Makino, both using Honda engines.

Luke Browning drives for Realize Kondo Racing with Toyota power. Kenta Yamashita competes for KCMG with Toyota engines. Kamui Kobayashi races for KDDI TGMGP TGR-DC, also using Toyota power. Juju Noda drives for Hazama Ando Triple Tree Racing with Honda engines. Nobuharu Matsushita represents Delightworks Racing, a new entry to the series this season, using Honda power.

Additional notable drivers include Sacha Fenestraz for Vantelin Team TOM'S, Nirei Fukuzumi, and Sho Tsuboi. Yuto Nomura, the reigning Super Formula Lights champion, stepped up to B-Max Racing for this season. Seita Nonaka replaced Kalle Rovanperä at KCMG for the early rounds after Rovanperä withdrew due to benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Support Series

The Fuji II event features support races from the Formula Regional Japanese Championship and the Kyojo Cup. These series provide additional racing action throughout the weekend.

Historical Context

Fuji Speedway opened in 1966. The original concept was a NASCAR-style superspeedway, but construction was completed as a road course. The circuit hosted Japan's first Formula One race in 1976, with a second Formula One event in 1977. James Hunt clinched the 1976 Formula One championship at Fuji in a rain-affected race.

Super Formula and its predecessor series have competed at Fuji Speedway since 1973. The only interruption occurred in 2004 when the circuit underwent major renovations. Toyota Motor Corporation acquired the circuit in 2000 and invested significantly in modernization, including the 2005 Hermann Tilke redesign.

Notable Features

October weather at Fuji Speedway generally offers comfortable temperatures, with average highs between 16-20 degrees Celsius. The month typically provides more stable weather conditions compared to September's typhoon season, though rainy days can still occur. The circuit's elevated location contributes to microclimatic variations.

Fuji Speedway holds a unique distinction as the first racetrack featured in a video game. The circuit appeared in "Pole Position" in 1982. Toyota Motor Corporation owns and operates the facility, maintaining strong connections between the venue and Japanese automotive industry.

The Fuji II double-header offers fans two complete races at a circuit known for strong overtaking opportunities and close competition. The combination of identical chassis, two engine manufacturers, and talented drivers creates competitive racing. The mandatory pit stop requirement adds strategic elements to each race. This event provides an important opportunity for drivers to score points as the 2026 season progresses.