May 11, 2026

Top Japanese Formula Graduates Who Have Soared onto the World Stage

Even on the current F1 grid, there are drivers who have experienced Japan's top formula racing and then soared onto the world stage. Pierre Gasly (BWT Alpine Formula One Team) competed in Super Formula with TEAM MUGEN in 2017. He contended for the title until the final stages of the season and finished 2nd in the series standings.
Furthermore, Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) also competed in Super Formula with TEAM MUGEN in 2023. Despite it being his first year in Japan, he fought for the championship, finishing 2nd in the series standings, and has since expanded his career onto the F1 stage.

Including the era of Super Formula and its predecessors, Formula Nippon and All Japan F3000 (the top domestic formula held from 1987 to 1995), there have been many drivers from this Japanese top formula category who have achieved success in overseas world championships. Here, we introduce some of the most well-known drivers among them and the paths of talent honed in Japan that have soared onto the world stage.

Pierre Gasly (current BWT Alpine Formula One Team) in 2017

Liam Lawson (current Racing Bulls) as of 2023

The first name that comes to mind is undoubtedly Michael Schumacher from Germany. After winning the 1990 F3 Macau GP and while preparing for his F1 debut, Michael made a one-off appearance at Round 6 SUGO in 1991.

Kazuyoshi Hoshino, who was also competing, delivered an astonishing performance and finished in 2nd place. Immediately after that, Michael made his F1 debut, scored points in his rookie year, and went on to become the first German F1 champion, ultimately winning the title seven times and becoming a legendary figure.

Around the time Michael was racing in Japan, a truly competitive era unfolded as drivers who later succeeded in F1 came to Japan one after another: Johnny Herbert (UK) in 1990, Eddie Irvine (UK) and Mika Salo (Finland) in 1991, and Heinz-Harald Frentzen (Germany) in 1992.

Johnny Herbert

Eddie Irvine

Mika Salo

Heinz-Harald Frentzen

The arrival of prominent drivers from overseas continued, and in 1996, when the category name changed to Formula Nippon, Michael's younger brother, Ralf Schumacher, participated with Team LeMans. The main sponsor was "X JAPAN," a hugely popular rock band at the time, which generated significant attention. He also delivered solid results in the races and won the championship. After that, he stepped up to F1.

Ralf Schumacher

Additionally, Pedro de la Rosa (Spain) became champion in 1997 with a performance that saw him finish on the podium in every race, then stepped up to F1. Tom Coronel (Netherlands), who became the Formula Nippon champion in 1999, later made a name for himself in the world sports car championships and touring cars.

Pedro de la Rosa

Tom Coronel

Since entering the 2000s, Benoit Tréluyer (France / 2006 Champion), Loïc Duval (France / 2009 Champion), and André Lotterer (Germany / 2011 Champion) have been active in Formula Nippon, and later demonstrated top-level performances with Audi at the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the WEC (FIA World Endurance Championship).

Benoit Tréluyer

Loic Duval

Andrea Lotterer

Also, Alex Palou (Spain), who competed in Super Formula in 2019, was unable to win the title in Japan, but later moved to the United States and became a four-time champion in the IndyCar Series, joining the ranks of the world’s top drivers.

Alex Palou

Drivers who have come from Japan's top formula series have spread their wings widely across Europe, America, and the world.