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[HistoryFan]

30 superlicense points for the champion - perhaps an international boost for the series. In 2024 there were some rounds for the first time in 50 years with only Japanese drivers on the grid.

 

First rumours about 2025:

 

=> Naoki Yamamoto retires after 15 years. Super Formula Lights points leader Shun Koide rumoured to replace him at Nakajima.

=> Sacha Fenestraz rumoured to return to the series to replace Ukyo Sasahara at Nakajima.

 

https://www.racingbl...uka-grand-prix/

[HistoryFan]

How the grid for 2025 looks so far:

 

Dandelion-Honda: Tadasuke Makino – Kakunoshin Ohta

Mugen-Honda: Tomoki Nojiri – Ayumu Isawa

TOM's-Toyota: Sho Tsuboi – Sacha Fenestraz

KCMG-Toyota: Kamui Kobayashi – Nirei Fukuzumi

Nakajima-Honda: Ren Sato – Shun Koide (?)

Kondo-Toyota: Kenta Yamashita – Zak O'Sullivan

Cerumo-Toyota: Sena Sakaguchi – Toshiki Oyu

Impul-Toyota: Mitsunori Takaboshi – Oliver Rasmussen

TGM-Toyota: Kazuto Kotaka – Hibiki Taira

B-Max-Honda: Iori Kimura (?)

Rookie-Toyota: Kazuya Oshima

ThreeBond-Honda: Atsushi Miyake (?)

[Disgrace]

I've had the good fortune to be spending a few weeks in Japan, so made the pilgrimage to Suzuka to see today's race.
 

Spoiler

Juju Noda's garage, which looked rather isolated at the end of the pitlane.
 

 
No lack of interest, despite the lack of speed. Her race was undone by a terrible pitstop. No autographs, alas.
 

 
Zak O'Sullivan had an awful day, getting lost on the way to the grid. He caused a roadblock and had to be shuffled out of the way before being wheeled back, much to the crowd's amusement. He crashed out, having mostly run last on the wrong strategy.
 

 
The V2 stand allows you to see the whole pit straight, as well as the cars looping around turn one, which was nice.
 

 

The Honda racing gallery has some nice kit too, and to their credit, they don't shy away from the failed McLaren reunion.

 

Though perhaps that's because McLaren didn't want the 2015 car or engine themselves... anyway, obviously recommended if you get the chance to visit.