Asahi and Ricci Among Favorites as Motegi GP Qualifiying Decider Looms

Motegi, 18 July – The Dallara SF19 machines of the Formula Hololive Japan swap prototype bodies for open‑wheel glory as the 2025 Formula Hololive Japan season reaches its penultimate showdown at Twin Ring Motegi. Two 34‑lap encounters across Splits A and B will close out the qualifiers and define the Tsuyo and Zako grids. This weekend’s performances will be crucial: the top 10 finishers in each split, plus the single highest‑placed 11th finisher, will advance to the championship‑deciding Tsuyo Series, while the rest prepare for the Zako battles.

In Split A, Joshu Asahi in Hakui Koyori’s #54 SF19 arrives in imperious form, topping the standings with 376 points after victories at Circuit Rise Harmony rounds. Asahi’s benchmark pace will be tested by Yukihara Touka who replaced Alex Grant, (#63 Yukihana Lamy), who sits just three points adrift, and veteran Mohd Shaqif Redza (#77 Momosuzu Nene), whose second‑race surge at SUGO yielded maximum points. Also in Tsuyo contention are Rustim Kurashio (#39 La+ Darknesss) and Ozne Wizard (#56 Inugami Korone), a seasoned campaigner for the former and a newcomer for the latter with multiple top 5s this season. Rounding out the provisional top 10, Alticer Antanarau, Hoshizono Ryo, Rim Elgore, Airi Nakamura and Mohamed Khashiu all boast the consistency to lock their Tsuyo berths. Eleventh‑placed Chaka Labradores (#7 Natsuiro Matsuri) currently edges 12th‑place Isekaiijin Mikolev on points, making him the likely 11th‑spot qualifier due to Split B's 11th placer being lower on points if the top ten remain unchanged.

Split B promises equal drama as Lorenzo Ricci (#6 Houshou Marine) leads the pack with 408 points, buoyed by twin runners-up finishes at both Fuji races. His nearest challenger, Danilo Goyena (#11 Usada Pekora), has amassed 395 points thanks to his unrivaled consistency since Fuji Race 2 with him not missing the top 6 since then, while Saerin (#59 Otonose Kanade) and Jace Kinsai (#61 Takane Lui) vie for the remaining front‑row slots. FlowGlow newcomer Allie Jay (#51 Kikirara Vivi) and Joey (#67 Juufuutei Raden) also occupy Tsuyo‑caliber positions, alongside Seo Byeong‑Eun, Jake Martinez, Ho Phu‑My, and Krzysztof Salmonman. In battle for the final transfer spot, Maverick Deuxieme (#46 Omaru Polka) trails Ed Skye by just four points, setting up a tense fight for the 11th berth, however they would need good results to overcome Labradores' points tally in Split A.

As engines fire for 68 laps of high‑octane SF19 action, teams will juggle strategies, fuel loads, and pit‑stop timing under Motegi’s switchback layout. Qualifying pace will set the tone, but racecraft and consistency over two back‑to‑back sprints will determine who earns the right to contest Tsuyo glory—and who will head to Zako in search of redemption. Fans can expect wheel‑to‑wheel battles from grid to checkered flag as Hololive’s finest vie for the last qualifiers of 2025.