May 11, 2026
108% Lap Time at Suzuka with a 460-Horsepower Difference from F1: The Speed of Super Formula That the World Is Watching
Despite Nearly Double the Engine Horsepower, the Lap Time Difference Between F1 and SF at Suzuka Is About 7.5 Seconds
On May 23 (Sat) and 24 (Sun), 2026, Rounds 4 and 5 of the All Japan Super Formula Championship (SF) will be held at SUZUKA CIRCUIT. Ahead of the fierce battle featuring SF machines, which are second only to F1 cars in speed, let's take another look at the potential of SF machines by comparing their times with those from the F1 Round 3 Japanese GP held from March 27 (Fri) to 29 (Sun).First, the times used for this comparison are the latest available at this time. At SUZUKA CIRCUIT, the SF preseason test (1st official test) was held from Wednesday, February 25 to Thursday, February 26, and the fastest time was 1 minute 36.290 seconds, set by Jinrei Fukuzumi (NTT docomo Business ROOKIE) during Session 4 on the afternoon of the 26th.
Of course, a major factor behind this is the difference in grip levels between F1’s spec Pirelli tires and SF’s Yokohama tires. The Yokohama tires used in SF are known for having higher grip levels and greater durability compared to the tires used in F1 and F2, and most drivers entering SF from overseas are first surprised by the high performance of these tires.
High Performance of the Quick & Light Super Formula Chassis, Second Only to F1
■ SF & F1 Time Comparison
1:28.778 (2026 F1 Japanese GP Qualifying Pole Position Time / Andrea Kimi Antonelli)1:35.736 (2025 Round 11 Qualifying Pole Position Time / Ayumu Iwasa)
When comparing Super Formula and F1 cars, ideally, you would want to compare sector times (partial times divided into several sections of the course). However, while SUZUKA CIRCUIT normally divides the racing course into four sectors, during the F1 Japanese GP, the F1 side brings its own timing equipment, and SUZUKA CIRCUIT measures times divided into three sectors.
Therefore, an exact comparison is not possible, but as a reference, we would like you to check the onboard footage of the pole laps for SF and F1 at the URLs below. Watching the onboard footage, the top speed for F1 is 338.4 km/h (Japanese GP qualifying / Kimi Antonelli), while SF recorded 287.05 km/h (2025 Round 11 at Suzuka / pole position qualifying by Ayumu Iwasa). There is about a 50 km/h difference in top speed, and with a power difference of approximately 460 horsepower in favor of F1, SF maintains high cornering speeds, which is evident from the footage as it achieves lap times close to those of F1.
Additionally, SF uses the same Dallara chassis as FIA F2, which is a support race for F1, so it is often compared to it. According to estimates by the motorsports specialist site Autosport Web, when comparing SF and FIA F2 cars, the FIA F2 car’s lap time is calculated to be in the low 1 minute 41 to 42 seconds range. This means it is about 4 to 5 seconds slower than the SF car.
FIA F2 is a higher-powered machine with a maximum output of 620 horsepower compared to SF, but its minimum weight including the driver is set at 795 kg, which is 118 kg heavier than SF (minimum 677 kg including driver). Furthermore, the difference in tire grip used also has a very significant impact. While SF does not match the horsepower of F1 or FIA F2, the concept of “Quick & Light” (moving swiftly, light and nimble) greatly supports SF in recording lap times second only to F1. ■F1 Official YouTube / Kimi Antonelli's Pole Lap | 2026 Japanese Grand Prix | Pirelli ■SF Official YouTube / 2025 Round 11 Qualifying Pole Position Lap Onboard (Ayumu Iwasa)
