Super Formula Championship

Super Formula Championship
Category	Open Wheel Single Seater racing
Country	Japan
Inaugural season	1973
Drivers	21
Teams	12
Chassis suppliers	Dallara
Engine manufacturers	Honda; Toyota;
Tire suppliers	Yokohama
Drivers' champion	Sho Tsuboi
Teams' champion	Docomo Team Dandelion Racing
Official website	superformula.net
	Current season

The Japanese Super Formula Championship is a formula racing series held primarily in Japan. It is considered to be the pinnacle of single-seater racing in Japan or Asia as a whole, making it one of the top motorsport series in the region. The series is sanctioned by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) and managed by Japan Race Promotion (JRP). As of 2024, Super Formula is the second fastest racing series in the world, after Formula One.^[1]

The first Japanese Top Formula championship was held in 1973 as the All-Japan Formula 2000 Championship. In 1978, the series transformed into the All-Japan Formula Two Championship, and again in 1987, into the All-Japan Formula 3000 Championship. For the most part, these Japanese racing series closely followed their European counterparts in terms of technical regulations. The JRP was established in 1995, and began managing the series in 1996, under its new name, the Formula Nippon Championship. This began what is commonly known as the modern era of the series, which has seen it become more independent with regard to technical regulations. The series' name was changed again in 2013, to Super Formula (officially Japanese Championship Super Formula until 2016).

History

Background

In Japan, touring and sports car racing was very popular throughout the 1960s. The Japanese Grand Prix was originally held as an event for touring and sports cars, and was immediately established as the largest motor racing event in the country during its original run between 1963 and 1969. On the other hand, formula car racing had a more difficult time being established in the nation's motorsport landscape. The inaugural JAF Grand Prix at Fuji Speedway in 1969 was Japan's first major single-seater race. And in 1971, the Japanese Grand Prix was reformatted into an event centered around formula car racing. Neither event managed to be as popular with spectators as the Japanese Grand Prix was during its time as a sports car race.

All-Japan Formula 2000 (1973–1977)

In 1973, the Japan Automobile Federation established the All-Japan Formula 2000 Championship as the first top-level formula racing series in Japan, to promote the sport of formula car racing in the country.

The series was based on the European Formula Two Championship. But unlike European F2, which only allowed the use of racing engines based on mass production models, the JAF approved the use of purpose-built racing engines from manufacturers such as Mitsubishi Motors.

All-Japan Formula Two (1978–1986)

In 1976, the FIA modified the Formula Two regulations to allow the use of purpose-built racing engines. With this change, the reasoning behind the name "Formula 2000" had disappeared, which led to the series being renamed the All-Japan Formula Two Championship from 1978.

These early years of formula racing in Japan were led by drivers such as Kunimitsu Takahashi, Kazuyoshi Hoshino, Masahiro Hasemi, Keiji Matsumoto, and Satoru Nakajima, who would go on to become the first Japanese driver to compete full-time in the Formula One World Championship. During the transition from Formula 2000 to Formula 2, a number of foreign drivers from the European F2 circuit began competing in and winning races in the Japanese series. 1981 European F2 champion Geoff Lees became the series' first non-Japanese champion when he won the All-Japan F2 title in 1983.

The Suzuka Formula Two Championship (established in 1977 as the Suzuka Formula 2000 Championship) was held concurrently at all events staged at Suzuka Circuit, to compete against the Fuji Grand Champion Series. During its existence from 1977 to 1986, it was considered to be of equal prestige to the All-Japan Formula 2 Championship.

1987 championship

When European Formula Two ended in 1984, its Japanese counterpart did not follow suit immediately. The JAF considered starting a new Formula Two series from 1988. However, all entrants ran Formula 3000 cars in 1987. So, the 1987 Formula Two Championship was cancelled due to no entry of any cars for that format.

All-Japan Formula 3000 (1987–1995)

Switching to the open Formula 3000 standard in 1987, the All-Japan Formula 3000 Championship officially started in 1988.

During the late 1980s, a number of factors contributed to a surge in popularity for Japanese Top Formula racing.^[2] Honda-powered Formula One teams began winning multiple championships. The Japanese Grand Prix was reintroduced to the Formula One calendar in 1987, and that same year, Satoru Nakajima began competing full-time in F1. Fans began following the series through Fuji Television's broadcasts of Formula One, resulting in an increased interest in all forms formula racing. Combined with the asset-driven bubble economy of the 1980s, the All-Japan Formula 3000 Championship attracted several entrants and investors.

Veteran drivers such as Hoshino, Hasemi, Takahashi, and Matsumoto were succeeded by a new generation of Japanese talents, led by 1988 champion Aguri Suzuki, and 1991 champion Ukyo Katayama - who would each go on to enjoy significant tenures in Formula One. The prosperous conditions within All-Japan F3000 also attracted many promising young drivers outside of Japan to compete in the series. Among those drivers included future Formula One Grand Prix winners Jean Alesi, Johnny Herbert, Eddie Irvine, and Heinz-Harald Frentzen. The most notable of these young drivers from outside Japan, however, was future seven-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher, who made a one-off appearance at Sportsland Sugo in 1991.

The eventual burst of the bubble economy led to a decline in the series' popularity during the early to mid 1990s. Japanese and European regulations paralleled one another until 1996, when the International Formula 3000 series became a one-make format to lower costs.

Formula Nippon (1996–2012)

In 1995, Japan Race Promotion (JRP) was established by Fuji Television, and became the new promoter and organising body of Japanese top formula racing, recognised by the JAF. As F3000 went down the path of a spec formula series abroad, the JRP opted to continue with the previous F3000 regulations which allowed for open chassis and engine competition. For 1996, the first full season under the management of JRP, the series changed its name to Formula Nippon.

Many of the top drivers in Formula Nippon continued to race in sports cars and touring cars as their predecessors had done in years past. Pedro de la Rosa became the first "double champion" of Japan in 1997 when he won both the Formula Nippon and All-Japan GT Championship GT500 titles in the same calendar year. Satoshi Motoyama and Richard Lyons would later accomplish the same feat in 2003 and 2004, respectively.

Drivers continued to use Formula Nippon as a stepping stone into Formula One including the aforementioned de la Rosa, Ralf Schumacher, Shinji Nakano, Toranosuke Takagi, and Ralph Firman. But by the late 2000s, Formula Nippon's status as a pathway into Formula One had diminished, and the series was greatly effected by the Lehman Shock (the term used in Japan to describe the 2007-08 global financial crisis) - going from 20 cars in 2008 to 13 in 2009.

Super Formula (2013–present)

On 5 August 2012, the JRP announced that the series would change its name from Formula Nippon to Super Formula in 2013, stating a "desire to establish the series on an equal footing with the FIA Formula One World Championship and the IZOD IndyCar Series as the undisputed, standard-bearer top formula racing in Asia."^[3]

The series experienced renewed international interest when 2015 GP2 Series champion, Stoffel Vandoorne, entered full-time in 2016 with Docomo Team Dandelion Racing. Vandoorne would finish his season with two race victories before making the step up to F1 with McLaren in 2017. A year later, 2016 GP2 Series champion Pierre Gasly entered the series, bringing Red Bull sponsorship with him to Team Mugen. Gasly finished 2017 as the Rookie of the Year, with two wins, and finished runner-up in the standings by half a point.

Felix Rosenqvist, Álex Palou, and Patricio O'Ward later became IndyCar Series race winners after racing in Super Formula. Palou, who was the 2019 Rookie of the Year, went on to win the IndyCar Series championship in 2021, 2023, and 2024.

Scoring system

In 2020, Super Formula adopted a new top-ten scoring system similar to the one used in Super GT, awarding 20 points to the race winner. Bonus points were given to the top three qualifiers in every round; three points for pole position, two for second place, and one for third place.^[4]

A top-six points system was used in All-Japan F3000 and Formula Nippon from 1988 to 2006, inspired by the contemporary Formula One points system. Beginning in 2007, the series followed Formula One once again and paid out points to the top eight finishers. A bonus point was awarded to the polesitter starting in 2008, during which the regular points system was changed again to award the top ten finishers and give 15 points to the race winner in standard events. The points system reverted back to a top-eight format from 2009–2019, though some rounds would have special points payouts.

Race points (2020–present)

Position	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	5th	6th	7th	8th	9th	10th
Points	20	15	11	8	6	5	4	3	2	1

Qualifying points (2020–present)

Position	1st	2nd	3rd
Points	3	2	1

Car specifications

Cars

Until 2002, Formula Nippon was an open formula category, where a variety of chassis builders, engine manufacturers, and tyre manufacturers could compete. Chassis were supplied by Lola, Reynard, and G-Force. Mugen-Honda supplied the vast majority of the engines along with Cosworth and Judd. Bridgestone, Yokohama, and Dunlop supplied teams with tyres. However, the series began adopting more spec components. Bridgestone became the series' sole tyre supplier beginning in 1997, and in 1998, Mugen-Honda became the sole engine supplier (though open tuning was still allowed). Chassis remained an open formula until 2003, after Reynard declared bankruptcy and G-Force withdrew from the series. The Lola B03/51 became the series' spec chassis thereafter.

In 2006, Formula Nippon underwent a drastic revision of its technical regulations. The new Lola FN06 chassis was introduced, while new three-litre V8 engines by Toyota and Honda were introduced, based on the same engine blocks that the manufacturers used in the 2005 IndyCar Series. American racecar manufacturer Swift Engineering produced the FN09 chassis that was introduced in 2009, and used until 2013. Also, in 2009, a new 3.4 litre V8 engine formula was introduced, a common engine that would be used in Formula Nippon and the GT500 class of Super GT, as well as a "push-to-pass" overtake system that is still used today.

The Dallara SF14 was used between the 2014 to 2018 season, and featured at least 30% components manufactured in Japan.^[5] Changed regulations both in Super Formula and Formula 1 resulted in closest gap ever between lap times: in 2014 season in Round 1 at Suzuka Circuit in Q2 André Lotterer did 1:36.996 which was 4.49 seconds slower than Nico Rosberg's pole time of 1:32.506 for the 2014 Japanese Grand Prix and was not only inside 107% rule but could potentially placed him 21st in F1 grid in front of two cars of Kamui Kobayashi (1:37.015) and Max Chilton (1:37.481).

In 2016, Yokohama Rubber replaced Bridgestone as the series' sole tyre supplier.

The Dallara SF19, which was used from the 2019 to 2022 season, was unveiled at Suzuka Circuit in October 2017. It weighed 670 kilograms (including the driver), and was powered by a two-litre single turbo-charged engines built by Honda and Toyota under the Nippon Race Engine (NRE) formula. The engines used in Super Formula have been detuned compared to their counterparts used in Super GT (GT500), but continue to allow for the use of the "push-to-pass" style Overtaking System (OTS) that allows for an additional five kilogrammes per hour (5 kg/h) of fuel burn for up to 200 seconds during a race.^{[citation needed]}

The Dallara SF23, a slightly modified version of the SF19, was unveiled on December 13, 2022, and has been used since the 2023 season. It has upgraded aerodynamics to improve overtaking and wheel-to-wheel racing.^[6]

Dallara SF14 Specifications (2014–2018)

Engine displacement: 2.0 L (122 cu in) DOHC inline-4
Gearbox: 6-speed paddle shift gearbox
Weight: 660 kg (1,455 lb)
Power output: 543 hp (405 kW)
Fuel: 102 RON unleaded gasoline
Fuel delivery: Direct fuel injection
Aspiration: Single-turbocharged
Length: 5,268 mm (207 in)
Width: 1,900 mm (75 in)
Wheelbase: 3,165 mm (125 in)
Steering: Electric power-assisted rack and pinion
Tires: Bridgestone Potenza (2014–2015) or Yokohama ADVAN (2016–2018) radial dry slicks and treaded rain tyres

Source:^[7]

Dallara SF19 Specifications (2019–2022)

Engine displacement: 2.0 L (122 cu in) DOHC inline-4
Gearbox: 6-speed paddle shift gearbox
Weight: 670 kg (1,477 lb)
Power output: 543 hp (405 kW)
Fuel: 102 RON unleaded gasoline
Fuel delivery: Direct fuel injection
Aspiration: Single-turbocharged
Length: 5,233 mm (206 in)
Width: 1,910 mm (75 in)
Wheelbase: 3,115 mm (123 in)
Steering: Electric power-assisted rack and pinion
Tires: Yokohama ADVAN radial dry slicks and treaded rain tires

Source:^[7]

Dallara SF23 Specifications (2023–present)

Engine displacement: 2.0 L (122 cu in) DOHC inline-4
Gearbox: 6-speed paddle shift gearbox
Weight: 677 kg (1,493 lb)
Power output: 550 hp (410 kW)
Fuel: 102 RON unleaded gasoline
Fuel delivery: Direct fuel injection
Aspiration: Single-turbocharged
Length: 5,235 mm (206 in)
Width: 1,910 mm (75 in)
Steering: Electric power-assisted rack and pinion
Tires: Yokohama ADVAN radial dry slicks and treaded rain tires

Drivers

In terms of drivers, Super Formula is a high-level series where the field is composed mainly of professional factory drivers who are paid to race.^[8] It is unanimously regarded as the highest level of formula racing in Japan and Asia, and although opinions on its exact global position vary, it is generally considered to be a higher level series than Formula 2, but slightly below IndyCar and to a larger extent Formula One.^[9]

Super Formula is a top-level national series and not a feeder or junior category, as there is no series directly above it and many professional drivers compete in it until they retire. Some drivers, mostly foreign, have used it as a platform to prove their ability in an attempt to move to Formula One or elsewhere.^[10]

The bulk of the grid consists of Japanese drivers, most of whom have the goal of forging successful long-term careers in the series. Foreign drivers have always been regular participants in the series, and there have been several drivers to come from a Japanese Top Formula drive to a prominent Formula One role; the best-known of these include Michael Schumacher, Eddie Irvine, Ralf Schumacher, Pedro de la Rosa, Stoffel Vandoorne, Pierre Gasly, and Liam Lawson.

Conversely, several foreign drivers have built long careers in Japan; examples of such drivers include André Lotterer, Benoît Tréluyer, Loïc Duval, and João Paulo de Oliveira. Most drivers in the series are contracted to either Honda or Toyota – the series' two engine manufacturers since 2006 – for whom they also typically compete in the Super GT sports car series, Japan's other top motorsport category.^[8]

Feeder series

The primary feeder series for Super Formula is Super Formula Lights, which was known as the Japanese Formula 3 Championship prior to 2020. The Formula Regional Japanese Championship and F4 Japanese Championship sit below Super Formula Lights in the Japanese single-seater pyramid.^[11]

Honda Performance Development (now Honda Racing Corporation US) offered a US$600,000 annual scholarship to the winner of the Formula Regional Americas Championship towards a Honda-powered seat in Super Formula beginning in 2021.^[12] 2022 series champion Raoul Hyman was the only driver to accept the scholarship before it was discontinued.^[13]

Circuits

Super Formula races are traditionally held at the six major national racing circuits in Japan. Suzuka Circuit, the traditional home of the Formula One Japanese Grand Prix, has staged more rounds than any other venue and has been on the calendar every year since the formation of the series in 1973. Suzuka typically hosts two rounds per season: The Suzuka 2&4 Race, a joint event staged with the All-Japan Road Race Championship, is typically held in the spring. The JAF Suzuka Grand Prix, Japan's oldest national formula racing event, is typically held at the end of the season in the autumn.

Fuji Speedway did not host any racing in 2004 while the circuit underwent a wholesale renovation, but otherwise, it has been part of the calendar in almost every Super Formula season including the very first season of the All-Japan F2000 Championship in 2002. Mobility Resort Motegi (known as Twin Ring Motegi until 2022) opened in 1997 and has been part of the calendar every year since. Sportsland Sugo has been on the calendar every year since its current configuration was opened in 1987.

Miné Circuit (formerly Nishinihon Circuit), was a regular fixture of the calendar until it closed for spectator events after the 2005 season. Autopolis, in Kyushu, and Okayama International Circuit, in the Chūgoku region, have since replaced Miné as the westernmost venues that Super Formula visits, though as of 2021 the series no longer races at Okayama. Tokachi International Speedway in Hokkaido briefly hosted the series from 1995 to 1996.

Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia hosted the first and only championship round outside of Japan when it was part of the 2004 calendar. The series planned to race at Inje Speedium in South Korea during the 2013 season and again in 2025, but both events were cancelled.

Circuits used

Bold denotes a circuit used in the 2024 Super Formula season.
Italic denotes a formerly used circuit.

Number	Circuit	Years	Total Races
1	Suzuka Circuit	Grand Prix Circuit: 1973–present East Circuit: 1999 East Special Circuit: 2000–2002^[a]	177
2	Fuji Speedway	1973, 1975–1979, 1982–2003, 2005–present	96
3	Mobility Resort Motegi	1997–present	46
4	Sportsland Sugo	1987–present	39
5	Miné Circuit	1977–1980, 1982–2005	35
6	Autopolis	1991–1992, 2006, 2009–2015, 2017–present	17
7	Okayama International Circuit	2007–2008, 2015–2020	11
8	Tokachi International Speedway	1995–1996	2
9	Sepang Circuit	2004	1
Source: ^[14]

Champions

Season	Drivers' Champion					Team Champion	Rookie of the Year
Season	Driver	Team	Chassis*	Engine*	Tyre*	Team Champion	Rookie of the Year
All-Japan Formula 2000 Championship (1973–1977)
1973	Motoharu Kurosawa	Heros Racing	March 722	BMW M12/6	B	Not awarded	Not awarded
1974	Noritake Takahara	Takahara Racing	March 742	BMW M12/6	B
1975	Kazuyoshi Hoshino	Victory Circle Club	March 742	BMW M12/6	B
1976	Noritake Takahara	Stanley Takahara	Nova 512	BMW M12/7	B
1977	Kazuyoshi Hoshino	Heros Racing	Nova 512B Nova 532P	BMW M12/7	B
All-Japan Formula Two Championship (1978–1986)
1978	Kazuyoshi Hoshino	Heros Racing	Nova 532P Nova 522	BMW M12/7	B	Not awarded	Not awarded
1979	Keiji Matsumoto	Diatone Racing	March 782 March 792	BMW M12/7	D
1980	Masahiro Hasemi	Tomica Racing Team	March 802	BMW M12/7	B
1981	Satoru Nakajima	i&i Racing	Ralt RH6/80 March 812	Honda RA261E	B
1982	Satoru Nakajima	John Player Special Team Ikuzawa	March 812 March 822	Honda RA262E	B
1983	Geoff Lees	John Player Special Team Ikuzawa	Spirit 201 March 832	Honda RA263E	D
1984	Satoru Nakajima	Heros Racing	March 842	Honda RA264E	B
1985	Satoru Nakajima	Heros Racing with Nakajima	March 85J	Honda RA264E Honda RA265E	B
1986	Satoru Nakajima	Heros Racing with Nakajima	March 86J	Honda RA266E	B
All-Japan Formula 3000 Championship (1987–1995)
1987	Kazuyoshi Hoshino	Hoshino Racing	March 87B Lola T87/50	Honda RA387E	B	Not awarded	Not awarded
1988	Aguri Suzuki	Footwork Sports Racing Team	March 87B Reynard 88D	Yamaha OX77	B
1989	Hitoshi Ogawa	Auto Beaurex Motor Sport	Lola T88/50 Lola T89/50	Mugen MF308	D
1990	Kazuyoshi Hoshino	Cabin Racing Team with Impul	Lola T90/50	Mugen MF308	B
1991	Ukyo Katayama	Cabin Racing Team with Heros	Lola T90/50 Lola T91/50	Cosworth DFV	B
1992	Mauro Martini	Acom Evolution Team Nova	Lola T91/50 Lola T92/50	Mugen MF308	B
1993	Kazuyoshi Hoshino	Nisseki Impul Racing Team	Lola T92/50	Cosworth DFV	B
1994	Marco Apicella	Dome	Dome F104	Mugen MF308	D
1995	Toshio Suzuki	Hoshino Racing	Lola T94/50	Mugen MF308	B
Japanese Championship Formula Nippon (1996–2012)
1996	Ralf Schumacher	X Japan Racing Team LeMans	Reynard 96D	Mugen MF308	B	X Japan Racing Team LeMans	Not awarded
1997	Pedro de la Rosa	Shionogi Team Nova	Lola T97/51	Mugen MF308	(B)	Shionogi Team Nova
1998	Satoshi Motoyama	LEMONed Racing Team LeMans	Reynard 97D	(Mugen MF308)	(B)	LEMONed Racing Team LeMans
1999	Tom Coronel	PIAA Nakajima Racing	Reynard 99L	(Mugen MF308)	(B)	PIAA Nakajima Racing
2000	Toranosuke Takagi	PIAA Nakajima Racing	Reynard 2KL	(Mugen MF308)	(B)	PIAA Nakajima Racing
2001	Satoshi Motoyama	Team Impul	Reynard 99L	(Mugen MF308)	(B)	Team 5ZIGEN
2002	Ralph Firman	PIAA Nakajima Racing	Reynard 01L	(Mugen MF308)	(B)	PIAA Nakajima Racing
2003	Satoshi Motoyama	Team Impul	(Lola B03/51)	(Mugen MF308)	(B)	Team Impul
2004	Richard Lyons	DoCoMo Team Dandelion Racing	(Lola B03/51)	(Mugen MF308)	(B)	Team Impul
2005	Satoshi Motoyama	Mobilecast Team Impul arting Racing Team with Impul	(Lola B03/51)	(Mugen MF308)	(B)	Mobilecast Team Impul arting Racing Team with Impul
2006	Benoît Tréluyer	Mobilecast Team Impul	(Lola B06/51 (FN06))	Toyota RV8J	(B)	Mobilecast Team Impul
2007	Tsugio Matsuda	Mobilecast Team Impul	(Lola B06/51 (FN06))	Toyota RV8J	(B)	Mobilecast Team Impul
2008	Tsugio Matsuda	Lawson Team Impul	(Lola B06/51 (FN06))	Toyota RV8J	(B)	Lawson Team Impul	Kohei Hirate
2009	Loïc Duval	Nakajima Racing	(Swift 017.n (FN09))	Honda HR09E	(B)	Nakajima Racing	Koudai Tsukakoshi
2010	João Paulo de Oliveira	Mobil 1 Team Impul	(Swift 017.n (FN09))	Toyota RV8K	(B)	Mobil 1 Team Impul	Naoki Yamamoto
2011	André Lotterer	Petronas Team TOM'S	(Swift 017.n (FN09))	Toyota RV8K	(B)	Petronas Team TOM'S	Kazuki Nakajima
2012	Kazuki Nakajima	Petronas Team TOM'S	(Swift 017.n (FN09))	Toyota RV8K	(B)	Docomo Team Dandelion Racing	Not awarded
Japanese Super Formula Championship (2013–present)
2013	Naoki Yamamoto	Team Mugen	(Swift 017.n (SF13))	Honda HR12E	(B)	Petronas Team TOM'S	Not awarded
2014	Kazuki Nakajima	Petronas Team TOM'S	(Dallara SF14)	Toyota RI4A	(B)	Petronas Team TOM'S	Tomoki Nojiri
2015	Hiroaki Ishiura	P.mu/Cerumo・INGING	(Dallara SF14)	Toyota RI4A	(B)	Petronas Team TOM'S	Kamui Kobayashi
2016	Yuji Kunimoto	P.mu/Cerumo・INGING	(Dallara SF14)	Toyota RI4A	(Y)	P.mu/Cerumo・INGING	Not awarded
2017	Hiroaki Ishiura	P.mu/Cerumo・INGING	(Dallara SF14)	Toyota RI4A	(Y)	P.mu/cerumo・INGING	Pierre Gasly
2018	Naoki Yamamoto	Team Mugen	(Dallara SF14)	Honda HR-417E	(Y)	Kondō Racing	Nobuharu Matsushita
2019	Nick Cassidy	Vantelin Team TOM'S	(Dallara SF19)	Toyota Biz-01F	(Y)	Docomo Team Dandelion Racing	Álex Palou
2020	Naoki Yamamoto	Docomo Team Dandelion Racing	(Dallara SF19)	Honda HR-417E	(Y)	Vantelin Team TOM'S	Toshiki Oyu
2021	Tomoki Nojiri	Team Mugen	(Dallara SF19)	Honda HR-417E	(Y)	carenex Team Impul	Hiroki Otsu
2022	Tomoki Nojiri	Team Mugen	(Dallara SF19)	Honda HR-417E	(Y)	Team Mugen	Ren Sato
2023	Ritomo Miyata	Vantelin Team TOM'S	(Dallara SF23)	Toyota TRD-01F	(Y)	Team Mugen	Liam Lawson
2024	Sho Tsuboi	Vantelin Team TOM'S	(Dallara SF23)	Toyota TRD-01F	(Y)	Docomo Team Dandelion Racing	Ayumu Iwasa

* The ( ) indicates the tyre (since 1997), chassis (since 2003), or engine (1998–2005) was a spec part that all competitors used for that season.

Statistics

Indicates active driver, team, and manufacturer.

Championships

By driver


Driver	Total	Seasons
Kazuyoshi Hoshino	6	1975, 1977, 1978, 1987, 1990, 1993
Satoru Nakajima	5	1981, 1982, 1984, 1985, 1986
Satoshi Motoyama	4	1998, 2001, 2003, 2005
Naoki Yamamoto	3	2013, 2018, 2020
Noritake Takahara	2	1974, 1976
Tsugio Matsuda		2007, 2008
Kazuki Nakajima		2012, 2014
Hiroaki Ishiura		2015, 2017
Tomoki Nojiri		2021, 2022
Motoharu Kurosawa	1	1973
Keiji Matsumoto		1979
Masahiro Hasemi		1980
Geoff Lees		1983
Aguri Suzuki		1988
Hitoshi Ogawa		1989
Ukyo Katayama		1991
Mauro Martini		1992
Marco Apicella		1994
Toshio Suzuki		1995
Ralf Schumacher		1996
Pedro de la Rosa		1997
Tom Coronel		1999
Toranosuke Takagi		2000
Ralph Firman		2002
Richard Lyons		2004
Benoît Tréluyer		2006
Loïc Duval		2009
João Paulo de Oliveira		2010
André Lotterer		2011
Yuji Kunimoto		2016
Nick Cassidy		2019
Ritomo Miyata		2023
Sho Tsuboi		2024

By team


Team	Total	Drivers' titles	Teams' titles
Team Impul	19	11 (1987, 1990, 1993, 1995, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010)	8 (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2021)
Team TOM'S	11	6 (2011, 2012, 2014, 2019, 2023, 2024)	5 (2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2020)
Nakajima Racing	8	4 (1999, 2000, 2002, 2009)	4 (1999, 2000, 2002, 2009)
Heroes Racing	7	7 (1973, 1977, 1978, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1991)	0
Team Mugen	6	4 (2013, 2018, 2021, 2022)	2 (2022, 2023)
Team LeMans	5	3 (1979, 1996, 1998)	2 (1996, 1998)
Cerumo・Inging		3 (2015, 2016, 2017)	2 (2016, 2017)
Dandelion Racing		2 (2004, 2020)	3 (2012, 2019, 2024)
Team Ikuzawa	3	3 (1981, 1982, 1983)	0
Nova Engineering	3	2 (1992, 1997)	1 (1997)
Takahara Racing	2	2 (1974, 1976)	0
Victory Circle Club	1	1 (1975)	0
Tomy Racing Team		1 (1980)	0
Mooncraft		1 (1988)	0
Stellar International		1 (1989)	0
Dome		1 (1994)	0
Team 5ZIGEN		0	1 (2001)
Kondo Racing		0	1 (2018)

Wins

After the 2024 season.

By driver

Rank	Driver	Total wins	All Japan F2000	All Japan F2	All Japan F3000	Formula Nippon	Super Formula
1	Kazuyoshi Hoshino	39	7	12	19	1	0
2	Satoshi Motoyama	27	0	0	0	27	0
3	André Lotterer	24	0	0	0	16	8
4	Satoru Nakajima	21	0	21	0	0	0
5	Toranosuke Takagi	14	0	0	3	11	0
6	Tomoki Nojiri	13	0	0	0	0	13
7	Loïc Duval	12	0	0	0	10	2
8	Keiji Matsumoto	11	0	9	2	0	0
8	Benoît Tréluyer	11	0	0	0	11	0
10	Ross Cheever	10	0	0	10	0	0
10	João Paulo de Oliveira	10	0	0	0	5	5
12	Masahiro Hasemi	9	4	4	1	0	0
12	Kazuki Nakajima	9	0	0	0	3	6
12	Naoki Yamamoto	9	0	0	0	0	9
15	Naoki Hattori	8	0	0	3	5	0
16	Noritake Takahara	7	7	0	0	0	0
16	Geoff Lees	7	0	5	2	0	0
16	Ralph Firman	7	0	0	0	7	0
16	Tsugio Matsuda	7	0	0	0	7	0
16	Takashi Kogure	7	0	0	0	7	0
16	Yuhi Sekiguchi	7	0	0	0	0	7
22	Toshio Suzuki	6	0	0	6	0	0
22	Pedro de la Rosa	6	0	0	0	6	0
24	Aguri Suzuki	5	0	0	5	0	0
24	Marco Apicella	5	0	0	5	0	0
24	Juichi Wakisaka	5	0	0	0	5	0
24	Hiroaki Ishiura	5	0	0	0	0	5
24	Sho Tsuboi	5	0	0	0	0	5
29	Kunimitsu Takahashi	4	3	1	0	0	0
29	Volker Weidler	4	0	0	4	0	0
29	Andrew Gilbert-Scott	4	0	0	4	0	0
29	Richard Lyons	4	0	0	0	4	0
29	Ryō Hirakawa	4	0	0	0	0	4
34	Motoharu Kurosawa	3	3	0	0	0	0
34	Kenji Takahashi	3	0	3	0	0	0
34	Stefan Johansson	3	0	3	0	0	0
34	Mauro Martini	3	0	0	3	0	0
34	Eddie Irvine	3	0	0	3	0	0
34	Ralf Schumacher	3	0	0	0	3	0
34	Norberto Fontana	3	0	0	0	3	0
34	Masami Kageyama	3	0	0	0	3	0
34	Tom Coronel	3	0	0	0	3	0
34	Yuji Ide	3	0	0	0	3	0
34	Takuya Izawa	3	0	0	0	2	1
34	Nick Cassidy	3	0	0	0	0	3
34	Liam Lawson	3	0	0	0	0	3
34	Kakunoshin Ohta	3	0	0	0	0	3
48	Takao Wada	2	0	0	2	0	0
48	Ukyo Katayama	2	0	0	2	0	0
48	Takuya Kurosawa	2	0	0	1	1	0
48	Katsutomo Kaneishi	2	0	0	0	2	0
48	Masahiko Kageyama	2	0	0	0	2	0
48	Hidetoshi Mitsusada	2	0	0	0	2	0
48	Kohei Hirate	2	0	0	0	2	0
48	Stoffel Vandoorne	2	0	0	0	0	2
48	Yuji Kunimoto	2	0	0	0	0	2
48	Pierre Gasly	2	0	0	0	0	2
48	Nirei Fukuzumi	2	0	0	0	0	2
48	Ukyo Sasahara	2	0	0	0	0	2
48	Ritomo Miyata	2	0	0	0	0	2
48	Tadasuke Makino	2	0	0	0	0	2
62	Jacques Laffite	1	1	0	0	0	0
62	Riccardo Patrese	1	1	0	0	0	0
62	Marc Surer	1	0	1	0	0	0
62	Beppe Gabbiani	1	0	1	0	0	0
62	Naohiro Fujita	1	0	1	0	0	0
62	Kenny Acheson	1	0	1	0	0	0
62	Mike Thackwell	1	0	1	0	0	0
62	Jan Lammers	1	0	0	1	0	0
62	Emanuele Pirro	1	0	0	1	0	0
62	Hitoshi Ogawa	1	0	0	1	0	0
62	Akihiko Nakaya	1	0	0	1	0	0
62	Paulo Carcasci	1	0	0	1	0	0
62	Roland Ratzenberger	1	0	0	1	0	0
62	Thomas Danielsson	1	0	0	1	0	0
62	Tom Kristensen	1	0	0	1	0	0
62	Toshihiro Kaneishi	1	0	0	0	1	0
62	Ronnie Quintarelli	1	0	0	0	1	0
62	Seiji Ara	1	0	0	0	1	0
62	Kosuke Matsuura	1	0	0	0	1	0
62	Kazuya Oshima	1	0	0	0	1	0
62	Koudai Tsukakoshi	1	0	0	0	1	0
62	Álex Palou	1	0	0	0	0	1
62	Kenta Yamashita	1	0	0	0	0	1
62	Toshiki Oyu	1	0	0	0	0	1
62	Giuliano Alesi	1	0	0	0	0	1
62	Hiroki Otsu	1	0	0	0	0	1
62	Nobuharu Matsushita	1	0	0	0	0	1
62	Sacha Fenestraz	1	0	0	0	0	1
Source:^[14]

By chassis constructor

Rank	Chassis constructor	Wins
1	Lola	124
2	Dallara	88
3	March	75
4	Reynard	72
5	Swift	38
6	Nova	11
7	Dome	5
8	Chevron	3
9	Brabham	2
9	Kojima	2
9	Spirit	2
12	Surtees	1
12	G-Force	1

By engine manufacturer

Rank	Engine manufacturer	Wins
1	Mugen	160
2	Honda	100
3	Toyota	92
4	BMW	52
5	Cosworth	8
6	Cosworth/ Yamaha	6
7	Ford	3
7	Yamaha	3

By tire supplier

Rank	Tire Supplier	Wins
1	B Bridgestone	311
2	Y Yokohama	80
3	D Dunlop	33

Pole positions

By driver

Rank	Driver	Total poles	All Japan F2000	All Japan F2	All Japan F3000	Formula Nippon	Super Formula
1	Kazuyoshi Hoshino	42	14	18	9	1	0
2	Satoru Nakajima	23	0	23	0	0	0
3	Satoshi Motoyama	20	0	0	0	20	0
4	Tomoki Nojiri	19	0	0	0	0	19
5	Toranosuke Takagi	16	0	0	2	14	0
6	Takashi Kogure	15	0	0	0	15	0
7	Ross Cheever	13	0	0	13	0	0
7	Tsugio Matsuda	13	0	0	0	13	0
7	Naoki Yamamoto	13	0	0	0	1	12
10	André Lotterer	12	0	0	0	5	7
11	Geoff Lees	11	0	3	8	0	0
12	Keiji Matsumoto	9	0	8	1	0	0
12	Juichi Wakisaka	9	0	0	0	9	0
12	João Paulo de Oliveira	9	0	0	0	7	2
15	Richard Lyons	8	0	0	0	8	0
15	Benoît Tréluyer	8	0	0	0	8	0
15	Loïc Duval	8	0	0	0	6	2
15	Hiroaki Ishiura	8	0	0	0	0	8
19	Masahiro Hasemi	7	2	4	1	0	0
19	Eddie Irvine	7	0	0	7	0	0
21	Hitoshi Ogawa	6	0	0	6	0	0
21	Mauro Martini	6	0	0	6	0	0
21	Ralph Firman	6	0	0	0	6	0
21	Yuhi Sekiguchi	6	0	0	0	0	6
25	Andrew Gilbert-Scott	5	0	0	5	0	0
25	Naoki Hattori	5	0	0	3	2	0
25	Kazuki Nakajima	5	0	0	0	1	4
28	Aguri Suzuki	4	0	0	4	0	0
28	Takuya Kurosawa	4	0	0	2	2	0
28	Pedro de la Rosa	4	0	0	0	4	0
28	Tom Coronel	4	0	0	0	4	0
28	Takeshi Tsuchiya	4	0	0	0	4	0
28	Ryo Hirakawa	4	0	0	0	0	4
34	Noritake Takahara	3	3	0	0	0	0
34	Akihiko Nakaya	3	0	0	3	0	0
34	Ukyo Katayama	3	0	0	3	0	0
34	Marco Apicella	3	0	0	3	0	0
34	Takuya Izawa	3	0	0	0	2	1
34	Nick Cassidy	3	0	0	0	0	3
34	Álex Palou	3	0	0	0	0	3
34	Toshiki Oyu	3	0	0	0	0	3
34	Nirei Fukuzumi	3	0	0	0	0	3
43	Hiromu Tanaka	2	2	0	0	0	0
43	Naohiiro Fujita	2	1	1	0	0	0
43	Stefan Johansson	2	0	2	0	0	0
43	Masanori Sekiya	2	0	0	2	0	0
43	Roland Ratzenberger	2	0	0	2	0	0
43	Toshio Suzuki	2	0	0	1	1	0
43	Michael Krumm	2	0	0	0	2	0
43	Ralf Schumacher	2	0	0	0	2	0
43	Masahiko Kageyama	2	0	0	1	1	0
43	Masami Kageyama	2	0	0	0	2	0
43	Ryo Michigami	2	0	0	0	2	0
43	Yuji Ide	2	0	0	0	2	0
43	Kazuya Oshima	2	0	0	0	2	0
43	Koudai Tsukakoshi	2	0	0	0	2	0
43	Andrea Caldarelli	2	0	0	0	0	2
43	Yuji Kunimoto	2	0	0	0	0	2
43	Tadasuke Makino	2	0	0	0	0	2
43	Kenta Yamashita	2	0	0	0	0	2
43	Sho Tsuboi	2	0	0	0	0	2
62	Vern Schuppan	1	1	0	0	0	0
62	Motoharu Kurosawa	1	1	0	0	0	0
62	Moto Kitano	1	1	0	0	0	0
62	Kunimitsu Takahashi	1	1	0	0	0	0
62	Bruno Giacomelli	1	0	1	0	0	0
62	Eje Elgh	1	0	1	0	0	0
62	Toru Takahashi	1	0	1	0	0	0
62	Roberto Moreno	1	0	1	0	0	0
62	Takao Wada	1	0	0	1	0	0
62	Volker Weidler	1	0	0	1	0	0
62	Heinz-Harald Frentzen	1	0	0	1	0	0
62	Tom Kristensen	1	0	0	1	0	0
62	Katsutomo Kaneishi	1	0	0	0	1	0
62	Norberto Fontana	1	0	0	0	1	0
62	Hideki Noda	1	0	0	0	1	0
62	Hidetoshi Mitsusada	1	0	0	0	1	0
62	Peter Dumbreck	1	0	0	0	1	0
62	Toshihiro Kaneishi	1	0	0	0	1	0
62	Kohei Hirate	1	0	0	0	1	0
62	Stoffel Vandoorne	1	0	0	0	0	1
62	Jann Mardenborough	1	0	0	0	0	1
62	Sérgio Sette Câmara	1	0	0	0	0	1
62	Giuliano Alesi	1	0	0	0	0	1
62	Hiroki Otsu	1	0	0	0	0	1
62	Nobuharu Matsushita	1	0	0	0	0	1
62	Ukyo Sasahara	1	0	0	0	0	1
62	Liam Lawson	1	0	0	0	0	1
62	Sena Sakaguchi	1	0	0	0	0	1
62	Ayumu Iwasa	1	0	0	0	0	1
62	Kakunoshin Ohta	1	0	0	0	0	1
Source:^[14]

By chassis constructor

Rank	Chassis constructor	Poles
1	Lola	128
2	Dallara	91
3	Reynard	75
4	March	70
5	Swift	38
6	Nova	16
7	Dome	3
8	Chevron	2
8	G-Force	2
10	Maurer	1
10	Spirit	1
10	Ralt	1

By engine manufacturer

Rank	Engine manufacturer	Poles
1	Mugen	167
2	Honda	106
3	Toyota	82
4	BMW	60
5	Cosworth/ Yamaha	5
6	Cosworth	4
7	Yamaha	3
8	Ford	1

By tire supplier

Rank	Tire Supplier	Poles
1	B Bridgestone	320
2	Y Yokohama	76
3	D Dunlop	31
4	F Firestone	1

Notes

^ A modified version of the East Circuit which turns right at the end of Dunlop Corner and exits halfway between 130R and the Chicane.

References

^ "How fast is an F1 car compared to IndyCar, WEC, Super Formula and more". www.autosport.com. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
^ "Analysis: Super Formula faces up to recent popularity slump". us.motorsport.com. 2023-04-21. Retrieved 2023-09-11.
^ "Japan Race Promotion Inc. Announces New Race Series Name: "Japanese Championship Super Formula"" (PDF). 5 August 2012.
^ "Rule Changes for 2020 Season | SUPER FORMULA Official Website". superformula.net. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
^ Collins, Sam (26 March 2013). "2014 Super Formula concept revealed". racecar-engineering.com. Retrieved 22 September 2016.
^ "Super Formula confirms updated car for 2023 season". us.motorsport.com. Retrieved 2023-04-09.
^ ^a ^b "About SUPER FORMULA | SUPER FORMULA Official Website".
^ ^a ^b "Where should F1 exiles go next year?". The Race. 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
^ "Is winning in Super Formula really easier than in F2?". www.autosport.com. Retrieved 2022-12-30.
^ O'Connell, R. J. (2023-04-07). "Red Bull junior Lawson expects 'tough' first season as takes Super Formula path to F1 · RaceFans". RaceFans. Retrieved 2023-04-11.
^ "スーパーフォーミュラの歴史｜SUPER FORMULA 公式WEBサイト". スーパーフォーミュラ｜SUPER FORMULA 公式WEBサイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-04-28.
^ Wood, Ida. "FRegional Americas champion to get scholarship for Super Formula".
^ "Super Formula: Raoul Hyman seals HPD scholarship prize". www.motorsport.com. Retrieved 2022-11-11.
^ ^a ^b ^c "1973～2022 Records". 日本の4輪レース記録. Retrieved 19 August 2023.

External links

Super Formula official website (in English)

[14] A modified version of the East Circuit which turns right at the end of Dunlop Corner and exits halfway between 130R and the Chicane.

[1] "How fast is an F1 car compared to IndyCar, WEC, Super Formula and more". www.autosport.com. Retrieved 2022-12-30.

[2] "Analysis: Super Formula faces up to recent popularity slump". us.motorsport.com. 2023-04-21. Retrieved 2023-09-11.

[3] "Japan Race Promotion Inc. Announces New Race Series Name: "Japanese Championship Super Formula"" (PDF). 5 August 2012.

[4] "Rule Changes for 2020 Season | SUPER FORMULA Official Website". superformula.net. Retrieved 2022-11-11.

[5] Collins, Sam (26 March 2013). "2014 Super Formula concept revealed". racecar-engineering.com. Retrieved 22 September 2016.

[6] "Super Formula confirms updated car for 2023 season". us.motorsport.com. Retrieved 2023-04-09.

[:1-7] "About SUPER FORMULA | SUPER FORMULA Official Website".

[:0-8] "Where should F1 exiles go next year?". The Race. 2020-11-12. Retrieved 2022-12-30.

[9] "Is winning in Super Formula really easier than in F2?". www.autosport.com. Retrieved 2022-12-30.

[10] O'Connell, R. J. (2023-04-07). "Red Bull junior Lawson expects 'tough' first season as takes Super Formula path to F1 · RaceFans". RaceFans. Retrieved 2023-04-11.

[11] "スーパーフォーミュラの歴史｜SUPER FORMULA 公式WEBサイト". スーパーフォーミュラ｜SUPER FORMULA 公式WEBサイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-04-28.

[12] Wood, Ida. "FRegional Americas champion to get scholarship for Super Formula".

[13] "Super Formula: Raoul Hyman seals HPD scholarship prize". www.motorsport.com. Retrieved 2022-11-11.

[Japanese_Racing_Records-15] "1973～2022 Records". 日本の4輪レース記録. Retrieved 19 August 2023.

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v t e Super Formula Championship
Previous names: Japanese Formula 2000 Japanese Formula Two Japanese Formula 3000 Formula Nippon
Formula 2000	1973 1974 1975 1976 1977
Formula Two	1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986
Formula 3000	1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
Formula Nippon	1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Super Formula	2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

v t e Super Formula Championship circuits (1973–present)
Current (2024)	Suzuka Autopolis Sugo Fuji Motegi
Former	Mine Okayama Sepang Tokachi

v t e Formula racing ladder in Japan
Tier I	Super Formula Championship (1973–present)
Tier II	Super Formula Lights (2020–present) Formula Regional Japanese Championship (2020–present) Japanese Formula 3 Championship (1979–2019) Formula Crane 45 (1991–1992)
Tier III	Formula Mirage (1990–1995) Formula Toyota (1990–2007) Formula Beat (1993–present) Formula Dream (1999–2005) Formula Challenge Japan (2006–2013) F4 Japanese Championship (2015–present)
Tier IV	FJ1600 (1980–2010) Super FJ (2007–present)