Ritomo Miyata crowned himself champion in the Japanese Super Formula last weekend – now the Japanese is planning a move to the WEC
In a thrilling final of the Japanese Super Formula, Ritomo Miyata prevailed against Formula 1 youngster Liam Lawson to be crowned this year’s champion of the series. It is now considered highly likely that the 24-year-old Japanese will compete in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) together with Lexus next year.
“When I go abroad, people often just see me as someone from Japan, and even though I’m Super Formula champion, they ask, ‘Who are you?” admits Miyata. “That’s something I want to change.” Yet the Japanese driver is no stranger to success: in 2016 and 2017, Miyata won the Japanese Formula 4 Championship.
In the 2020 season, the Japanese driver was crowned champion in Super Formula Lights, before the “big” championship title followed this year. Since the beginning of the year, Miyata, who also races in the Japanese Super GT series, has already been part of Toyota’s WEC Challenge program, which is designed to help young racers enter the World Endurance Championship.
At this year’s WEC round at Fuji, the Toyota junior celebrated his WEC debut when he piloted the Kessel Ferrari in the GTE class together with Takeshi Kimura and Scott Huffaker. In his home race, the Japanese driver finished third after a strong final spurt.
2024 together with Lexus in the WEC?
“In the past, it was normal for Super Formula champions to get a chance in F1 or WEC,” recalls this year’s champion, who is now also hoping for his promotion. It is likely that Miyata will pilot a Lexus RC F GT3 from the French ASP team in the 2024 WEC season.
It was officially announced last week that the long-time Mercedes success team will join forces with Lexus in the WEC next season. The GT3 cars will be eligible for the first time next year, with each manufacturer receiving a maximum of two spots.
“I’m still not sure what opportunities I’ll get overseas in the future, but to prove the level of Japanese drivers and Super Formula, I want to continue with the attitude that I shouldn’t be underestimated even if I’m competing against international drivers,” Miyata is ambitious for the future.