In the world of Japanese motorsport, it is quite common for drivers to compete in both of the country’s top two categories, Super Formula and SUPER GT, at the same time.
In fact, of the 21 drivers on the grid in Super Formula this season, 16 are also actively involved in SUPER GT, with all but one of them taking part in the top GT500 category.
Within the Honda stable, six drivers are taking dual programs in the two series this year: Tomoki Nojiri, Naoki Yamamoto, Ren Sato, Kakunoshin Ohta, Nobuharu Matsushita and Tadasuke Makino. For this group of drivers, that means constantly switching back and forth between cars, working with two sets of crews, often in different teams, and some intricate scheduling to be adequately prepared for both categories.
The good news is that, although they may look very different, Super Formula and GT500 cars are not radically different to drive. Both use the same basic engine formula, and although the GT500 car is over 300kg heavier, advanced aerodynamics and sticky tires mean they still have plenty of cornering grip, resulting in lap time differences of just a few seconds.
That means switching between the two categories comes naturally to Honda’s factory riders, especially those who have been doing it for a long time.
“For me, the first two or three seasons with both categories were quite challenging, but now it’s not so difficult,” said two-time Super Formula champion Nojiri, who has juggled racing in both categories since the 2015 season.
“The difference in braking points, how much you have to brake and how much the car turns is not that different between Super Formula and GT500, so it’s relatively easy to adapt your driving to suit both cars.
“That said, there’s still a difference in things like the feel of the brakes and how much you accelerate when you step on the gas; even how much grip there is in the combined phase [accelerating and cornering at the same time]. These are things you can’t really feel unless you drive. But these days it’s not really a big problem for me.”
Makino, who has driven both Super Formula and GT500 since 2019, adds: “Even in my first season I got used to it. If it was a GT300 it would be much more difficult in terms of driving style, with a heavier car and traction control etc .But in a GT500 it’s not a big change.”
For Ohta, who is only in his second season, he feels the similarities between Super Formula and GT500 are great enough that racing in SUPER GT’s top class effectively becomes a form of training for Super Formula, something he says is invaluable.
“The most important thing is the mileage,” Ohta explains. “The biggest difference between us and other sports is that we can’t train every day. Exercising the eyes and muscles is so important, which is why competing in both categories is such an advantage.
“For example, if you only drive in Super Formula, you have two months between races and we can’t prepare or train properly if we don’t do GT500.”
Asked which of the two cars he had an easier time getting started with in his rookie season last year, Ohta says: “In SUPER GT we get more time in the car because there are a lot of tests, and I did more tests last year because I used Dunlop tires [at Nakajima Racing].
“In Super Formula we only have two [pre-season] tests and it’s hard to adjust things properly during race weekends, when you only get 90 minutes of practice. You can’t take too many risks, one mistake and you can ruin the whole weekend.”
Both Ohta and Makino are part of the Dandelion Racing team in Super Formula, but in SUPER GT, Ohta represents Real Racing, while Makino is a member of Team Kunimitsu, meaning they also have to move back and forth between their respective teams.
When it comes to managing their schedules, the two drivers explain that it’s simply about focusing on the next race or test as it comes regardless of category – so if there’s a big gap in the calendar for one series or the other, then the preparations will be on the back burner for that series while whoever is in action earlier takes precedence.
“We don’t do a lot of team meetings, so it’s not that big of an issue,” Ohta says. “We basically have a meeting to prepare each race week beforehand. And then we have the simulator at the HRC factory in Sakura, and we do that maybe once a month. That’s the main training for us outside of the race weekends, and we can try many settings there.”
Makino adds: “The process for both championships is similar. One or two weeks before each race we have a meeting, and then if it’s GT500 we can also try things on the simulator.
“The team members are completely different, but I’ve been with both teams for a while, so there’s no problem there.”
Unlike his two younger colleagues, Nojiri has the advantage of being able to prepare for both Super Formula and SUPER GT with Team Mugen, effectively running the two ARTA Civic Type R-GTs in the latter category. But the veteran says being with the same team for both championships is less beneficial than it might appear.
“The personnel who do the two categories are different, and even when you do it in the same team, if one person changes, the way of doing things and the way of communication changes,” he says. “Actually, I would say it’s not that different from running two different teams. You always have to build things up with the people you work with.”
While racing in both Super Formula and SUPER GT has its challenges, adapting seamlessly between the two series is part of life as a top driver in Japan. Considering they are two of the fastest series in the world outside of Formula 1, doing double duty has to be considered one of the greatest privileges a racing driver can have.
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