Autopolis SP Storylines: Masa Raido Among the New Faces in the Zako Cup, Domaschnev Aims to Stretch His Lead

Oita, 16 August 2024 -The 2024 Formula Hololive Japan Tsuyo/Zako Cup heads to the southwestern reaches of Japan this weekend, as the storied Autopolis circuit hosts Round 2 of the season. Following the intense battles at the Tokachi SP, both the Zako Cup on Saturday and the Tsuyo Cup on Sunday promise to deliver more thrilling on-track action.

The Zako Cup opener at Tokachi showcased a stunning debut from Shaneil Marcman, who took the victory with a masterful two-stop strategy. Marcman will be looking to replicate that success at Autopolis, but he'll face stiff competition from the likes of Sean Poly and Shaqif Redza, both of whom showed strong pace at Tokachi.

This weekend also marks the debut of several new drivers. Notably, Hanni Pham (Otonose Kanade), Tamoyuki Aoki (Shirakami Fubuki), Takahashi Pin (Hakui Koyori), and Masa Raido (Todoroki Hajime) will make their first appearances in the series. All eyes will be on these newcomers as they look to make an immediate impact on their respective vtubers.

Meanwhile, the Zako Cup grid sees the departure of several seasoned drivers. Dawn Elys, Richie Rodd, and Fabio Mendes all exit the series for various reasons, leaving their seats open for fresh talent. Liam Kai, after a strong 6th-place finish at Tokachi, also steps aside, making way for Masa Raido's full-time entry.

The Autopolis SP will also be a poignant event as it marks Hiyuta Asano’s final race for Minato Aqua. Aqua is set to graduate from Hololive on August 28, making this race the last opportunity for everyone to see Asano, or any other driver in particular, race under her banner during her active years. Asano will be sure to give his all in this swansong race.

The Tsuyo Cup race at Tokachi saw Vladislav Domaschnev continue his impressive run of form with a dramatic last-lap victory over Tyler Williams. Domaschnev's performance solidifies his status as a frontrunner for the championship, but he'll face increased pressure from rivals like Williams and Lorenzo Ricci, who finished third at Tokachi and remains in the hunt for the title.

Autopolis, with its challenging layout and technical sections, will test the drivers' skills to the limit. The circuit's high-speed corners and undulating terrain will demand precision and control, especially as tire wear becomes a critical factor over the course of the race.

Making his series debut, Pham is expected to bring fresh energy to the Otonose Kanade team, filling the seat vacated by Dawn Elys. Meanwhile Aoki steps into the shoes of Richie Rodd, who leaves behind a legacy of near-misses with four podiums but no wins in his 29 starts. Pin takes over from Fabio Mendes, who leaves the series after a disappointing run and with it, lack of interest. With Mendes' departure, Pin has big shoes to fill and will be keen to prove himself in his first race. And finally, after Liam Kai's brief stint in the series, Raido now takes up the mantle as a full-time driver, aiming to build on the team's solid start at Tokachi.

With just a single race separating the Zako and Tsuyo Cups from the midway point of the season, the pressure is mounting for both seasoned veterans and new entrants alike. The Autopolis SP is known for producing unpredictable outcomes, and with the added challenge of new drivers entering the fray, this weekend promises to be a pivotal moment in the 2024 Formula Hololive Japan season.