Super Formula, Explained: The Fastest Single-Seaters After F1
Super Formula, Explained: The Fastest Single-Seaters After F1
If you love F1 but have never watched Japan’s top single-seater series, you’re missing the quickest racing cars on the planet outside Formula 1 — and one of the clearest proving grounds for future F1 drivers.
Super Formula is Japan’s premier single-seater championship — widely regarded as the fastest open-wheel cars after F1. One spec chassis (the Dallara SF23), 550+ bhp turbo engines from Honda and Toyota, and 12 races across Japan. It’s also a serious F1 stepping-stone: Pierre Gasly raced here in 2017, and the reigning champion Ayumu Iwasa is a Red Bull F1 reserve — while ex-F1 names like Kamui Kobayashi keep it stocked with talent.
In this guide
1. What Super Formula is
2. Honda vs Toyota
3. The 2026 season
4. The F1 pathway
5. Super Formula Lights
6. How to watch from abroad
1. What Super Formula is
It is, simply, the fastest single-seater racing in the world after Formula 1.
Super Formula is Japan’s top open-wheel championship. Every team races the same car — the Dallara SF23 — powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine producing over 550 bhp in a car weighing only around 670 kg. That power-to-weight gives savage acceleration and top speeds beyond 300 km/h. The FIA itself has called it “one of the fastest single-seater competitions outside of F1.”1
Because it is a spec series — identical chassis, control tyres — results come down to driver skill, engineering and strategy rather than budget. The SF23’s aero was redesigned to cut the “dirty air” that hurts close following by roughly half, specifically to produce better wheel-to-wheel racing.2
2. Honda vs Toyota
The grid is split between two manufacturer engine programmes — Honda (HRC) and Toyota (TGR / TRD) — which makes Super Formula a rare, ongoing head-to-head between Japan’s two motorsport giants.3
Teams align to one engine camp. Honda-powered names include Team Mugen, Team Dandelion and Nakajima Racing; Toyota-powered names include Vantelin Team TOM’S, Kondo Racing and Team Impul. ⚠ Team names, sponsors and engine pairings shift season to season — check the official entry list for the current year.
3. The 2026 season
The 2026 championship runs 12 races across 7 weekends, all in Japan (five weekends are double-headers), opening at Motegi for the first time since 2020 and ending with a Suzuka decider.4
| Weekend | Circuit | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Round 1 (opener) | Mobility Resort Motegi | 3–5 Apr |
| Round 2 | Autopolis | 24–26 Apr |
| Round 3 | Suzuka | 22–24 May |
| Round 4 | Fuji Speedway | 17–19 Jul |
| Round 5 | Sportsland Sugo | 7–9 Aug |
| Round 6 | Fuji Speedway | 9–11 Oct |
| Round 7 (finale) | Suzuka | 20–22 Nov |
The reigning champion is Ayumu Iwasa (Team Mugen), who took his first title at the 2025 Suzuka finale — while also serving as a Red Bull F1 reserve driver. Here are some of the names worth knowing on the 2026 grid (⚠ live standings change every round — check before relying on them):5
4. The F1 pathway
This is why F1 fans should pay attention. Super Formula works in two directions: a final proving step toward F1, and a landing spot for young or ex-F1 drivers.
- Superlicence points. The champion earns 30 FIA superlicence points, with 25 for second and 20 for third — boosted for 2025 onward, putting Super Formula level with FIA F3 and Formula E. Only F2 and IndyCar award more.6
- Pierre Gasly, 2017. Gasly raced for Team Mugen, won races, and lost the title by half a point when the Suzuka finale was cancelled by Typhoon Lan — then graduated to F1 in 2018.7
- Living proof today. Champion Ayumu Iwasa is a Red Bull F1 reserve; ex-F1/F2 names like Kobayashi and O’Sullivan keep the grid stocked with world-class talent.
For Japanese drivers, Super Formula is usually the last domestic rung before an F1 seat — fed by Honda’s and Toyota’s junior programmes. See our Future Japanese F1 Drivers watchlist for who’s climbing it now.
5. Super Formula Lights
Directly below the main series sits Super Formula Lights, the junior feeder category. It mixes manufacturer-backed Honda and Toyota protégés with international single-seater champions racing in Japan to earn a Super Formula seat — the rung where tomorrow’s SF and F1 names are spotted first.8
6. How to watch from abroad
The simplest route for international viewers is SFgo, Super Formula’s own streaming app. It carries every race with English and Japanese commentary, plus onboards, team radio and live telemetry, for a low subscription (around US$10).9 The official Super Formula YouTube channel also posts highlights and selected content.
Super Formula in five lines
- Japan’s top single-seater series — the fastest open-wheel cars after F1.
- One spec chassis (Dallara SF23), 550+ bhp turbos, Honda vs Toyota engines.
- 2026: 12 races across 7 all-Japan weekends, Motegi opener, Suzuka finale.
- A real F1 pathway: 30 superlicence points for the champion; Gasly raced here; Iwasa is a Red Bull reserve.
- Watch worldwide via the SFgo app (English commentary). ⚠ Check current pricing.
Frequently asked questions
What is Super Formula?
Japan’s top open-wheel series, widely regarded as the pinnacle of single-seater racing in Asia and among the fastest in the world.
What cars are used?
A spec Dallara chassis with 2.0-litre turbocharged engines from Toyota and Honda.
Is it a route to Formula 1?
Yes — it is a recognised proving ground for drivers aiming at F1.
From Super Formula to the F1 grid
See the Japanese drivers climbing toward Formula 1 right now.
Sources & notes
- Super Formula among the fastest single-seaters; FIA framing. Motorsport.com
- Dallara SF23 spec & aero redesign. Dallara SF23 (Wikipedia) · superformula.net
- Honda (HRC) vs Toyota (TGR) engine programmes & teams. 2026 Super Formula (Wikipedia)
- 2026 calendar (12 races / 7 weekends, Motegi opener). Motorsport.com
- Ayumu Iwasa 2025 champion (Red Bull reserve); 2026 grid. Autosport
- Superlicence points boost (champion 30 pts). Motorsport.com
- Pierre Gasly’s 2017 Super Formula season. Pierre Gasly (Wikipedia)
- Super Formula Lights (feeder series). Feeder Series
- SFgo streaming (English commentary). Red Bull / Super Formula · superformula.net
An explainer dated 8 June 2026. Season details (calendar, drivers, standings, streaming prices) change each year — items flagged ⚠ should be confirmed against official Super Formula sources before relying on them.
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📅 更新履歴
| 日付 | 変更内容 |
|---|---|
| 2026年6月8日 | 初回公開 |
| 2026年6月19日 | 情報を更新 |
✅ ファクト再検証
最終検証日：2026年6月19日
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