Latest news with #Tsuboi
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Driver given surprise audition for F1 seat as boss explains 'what happens next'
Haas and Toyota used their collaboration to stage another Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) event, this time at the Fuji Speedway in Japan where two drivers got behind the wheel The reigning champion in the Japanese Super Formula series has taken part in an "audition" test in a Formula 1 car. The test, held at Fuji Speedway in Japan this week, saw two drivers from the Asian country drive the Haas VF-23 which raced in the 2023 F1 World Championship. Such Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) sessions have been made possible by the team's partnership with Toyota, formalised last year. The Japanese carmaker, through its Gazoo Racing arm, helps Haas with technical resources and, in return, its staff get experience of the pinnacle of motorsport. And that includes opportunities for the drivers it employs in other disciplines. Ryo Hirakawa is one such driver who has benefitted from that partnership and is reserve driver for the team, having also driven free practice sessions for several outfits on the F1 grid. Hirakawa, 31, a double World Endurance Championship title-winner, was one of those two drivers who got behind the wheel in Fuji. He drove on Tuesday, in front of a crowd invited to the circuit to watch the track action. For the second of the two days of running, there was a debutant in the cockpit. Sho Tsuboi, 30, who won the Super Formula title last year and also races GT cars, got his first experience of F1 machinery. According to Masaya Kaji, Toyota Gazoo Racing's director of global motorsport, the test was not just a prize for Tsuboi's Super Formula success. "What happens next depends entirely on Tsuboi's performance and his communication with the team," he said. "This is an audition or a selection test, not just because of his experience. We want to assess his real performance. He has to work hard and communicate in English. The goal is to assess his potential. Tsuboi has great potential, but it's not just his results. The test is not a reward for becoming Super Formula champion. "These TPC tests are part of our people efforts, as we will focus on human resource development. I believe that Sho, a former Super Formula champion, will not only contribute to the development of his skills, but will also provide great motivation for the other TGR drivers. Sky Sports launches discounted Formula 1 package This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more £43 £35 Sky Get Sky Sports here Product Description "In addition, mechanics and engineers from Toyota Motor Corporation will be present, making this an invaluable opportunity for them as well . Experiencing first-hand the technologies and skills required on the world's highest stage, F1, will certainly be an important experience for their growth." Hirakawa and Tsuboi are not the first Toyota drivers to be given the chance to test modern F1 machinery in recent months. Haas also ran former F1 driver Kamui Kobayashi, who now races in the World Endurance Championship, and Formula 2 star Ritomo Miyata in the same car at other TPC outings, giving Toyota valuable data to compare Tsuboi's performance. Regardless of how well he did, it is not going to be a route onto the 2026 F1 grid. Haas already have Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman tied down to contracts for next season, though the latter remains a Ferrari junior driver and the American team might have to hastily find a replacement should the Brit be called up by the Scuderia at some point.
Newsweek
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Super Formula Champion Sho Tsuboi Eyes Haas F1 Test
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Super Formula driver Sho Tsuboi believes he is close to achieving his lifelong dream of testing a Formula 1 car. Tsuboi is the reigning Super Formula champion who races for Toyota. Apart from winning the Japanese race series title, he also won his third SUPER GT title for the Japanese automaker. More F1 news: How Lewis Hamilton Made the F1 Movie Production More Expensive Given his success on Toyota's roster, Tsuboi hopes for a potential test with Haas F1's older cars. F1 features a Testing Previous Cars program, which allows teams to give drivers the opportunity to run in older machinery to assess their ability to drive the machinery. ho Tsuboi (36) of Japan and VANTEL'S TEAM TOM'S drives on track during the Super Formula Round Seven at Fuji Speedway on October 13, 2024 in Oyama, Japan. ho Tsuboi (36) of Japan and VANTEL'S TEAM TOM'S drives on track during the Super Formula Round Seven at Fuji Speedway on October 13, 2024 in Oyama, Japan. Photo by/Getty Images Toyota and Haas formed a partnership last year. The team features Toyota Racing logos on their cars as a sponsorship. Toyota also lends its facilities for car testing, giving Haas infrastructure and money in its racing pursuits. In return, Haas grants several Toyota-affiliated drivers tests with its cars. Ryo Hirakawa is one of the drivers who was given opportunities with Haas. He is the team's reserve driver for this season and has already gotten two free practice runs. In an interview with Autosport, Tsuboi explained why he believes an F1 test is in his future. "Before I won the Super Formula title, I wasn't really thinking about anything beyond that as I didn't think I'd have other options as long as I didn't win it," Tsuboi told Autosport. "But getting the double title means I've won everything I can in Japanese racing and I can start to consider more possibilities. "Lately Toyota has entered into a partnership with Haas in F1, and it seems the environment is starting to take shape where I could have the chance to drive an F1 car and take part in some testing. "Becoming an F1 driver has been my dream since I was a kid, so I definitely want to drive an F1 car at least once." Tsuboi is riding a wave of belief after capturing the Japanese racing double. His hopes of one day racing in F1 went up after his success this past season, along with Toyota's resurgence in F1. "Of course, my dream was always to succeed as an F1 driver," Tsuboi added. "Winning the double title means it was a year that I took a step towards that goal. "Until that point, it really felt just like a pipe dream, something that I would never be able to grasp, and that I just had to focus on the thing that was right in front of me. That meant my only goal was becoming Super Formula champion. "Winning the championship allowed me to have a new goal beyond that, and the idea of having a chance in F1 as part of Toyota has become a big motivation for me, so I would like to aim for that." While a full-time drive may never come to fruition, Tsuboi should get a chance to drive an F1 soon, and it will come well-deserved, given his racing success. More F1 news: Hamilton Heartbroken After Hitting Animal Mid-Race, Damaging Car For more F1 news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
