Ex-Formula 1 driver Daniil Kwjat was on the verge of a comeback to formula racing, but the big opportunity could not be resolved due to bureaucratic problems
Daniil Kwjat almost ended up in the Japanese Super Formula in 2025, according to the team. The former Formula 1 driver, who now competes as a works driver for Lamborghini in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), could have driven for the former Goh Motorsport (TGM) Grand Prix team from the fourth race onwards
The team had started the season with former Formula 2 driver Nobuharu Matsushita in the 53 reserved for Juju Noda all year round. However, after three races he had to vacate his seat due to a lack of sponsorship.
Kwjat was now one of the possible replacement candidates and would have been the only international driver in the series after Theo Pourchaire pulled out after just one race due to McLaren’s IndyCar offer. However, Kwjat was unable to obtain a suitable work visa. Instead, TGM signed Japanese driver Hiroki Otsu, who already has experience with the team.
“As a Japanese team, we were unable to sign him. He can get a visa for Japan and enter the country, but he can’t work here. The team can’t pay him directly. And he says if he can’t get paid, there’s no reason to drive here. That was the problem. I asked him if he could discuss it with his sponsors, but the hurdles were too high. “
Russia sanctions make business difficult
Kwjat, however, tells the story differently: “Nothing prevents me from working in Japan, provided I get a proper employment contract. It was a failed negotiation between a sponsor and the team that stopped me. I would still like to drive in Super Formula and am open to further talks. “
According to Kwjat, his Russian citizenship is therefore not a problem, but the failed negotiations could be linked to the sanctions against the Russian Federation. Doing business with Russian companies has been extremely difficult since the war in Ukraine. In addition, there has been a territorial dispute between Japan and Russia over the southern Kuril Islands since the Second World War.
Otsu filled in for Toshiki Oyu in two races in 2023 and made a good impression at TGM, which for its part only scored points with Matsushita at the season opener in Suzuka this year. “We think we lost our way a bit with the set-up,” explains Ikeda.
“We brought Otsu-san back to get back to the level we had in the middle of last year. He knows how the car feels and we want to use that experience. And we didn’t want to change drivers for every race, that’s not good for the fans or the championship.
There are still four races over two weekends on the Super Formula 2024 program. On October 12 and 13, it’s off to Fuji, with the finale taking place again in Suzuka on November 9 and 10.
