Feel-Good Wins at Autopolis SP as Hiyuta Asano Wins Last Race for Aqua and Michael Turner Wins Home Race for Noel

Oita, 20 August — Last weekend, Autopolis delivered on telling the story of fairytale endings botht he Tsuyo and Zako race of Formula Hololive Japan's 7th round. of The Zako Cup race saw an unforgettable race at the Autopolis circuit, Hiyuta Asano delivered a spectacular late-race charge to secure a historic win, marking Minato Aqua's first and only victory in Formula Hololive Japan as an active virtual youtuber. The race, held on Saturday, August 17, 2024, will be remembered as a defining moment for both Asano and the Minato Aqua team, just days before Aqua's impending graduation from Hololive.

Starting from second on the grid, Hiyuta Asano executed a strategic masterclass, opting for a two-stop strategy that would prove decisive in the closing laps. After making his second and final pit stop later than any other driver, Asano returned to the track with the freshest tires. This allowed him to mount an incredible charge through the field in the final laps.

On lap 52 of the 54-lap race, Asano overtook Callum Gibbens, who had started from pole but lost ground due to a slow second stop. With just two laps remaining, Asano set his sights on race leader Alex Grant, who was struggling on worn tires after committing to a one-stop strategy. Asano closed the gap rapidly, and on the final lap, he made his move, passing Grant to take the lead and ultimately, the win.

Asano’s emotions spilled over on the team radio as he crossed the finish line, his voice breaking with tears of joy. "It means quite a lot to me. The last win for Aqua. Glad it happened," Asano said, capturing the significance of this victory for himself and the team. This win marks the first-ever victory for Minato Aqua in Adak-RMS Organization (ARO) and Formula Hololive (FHolo) competitions and serves as a fitting tribute as Aqua prepares to graduate.

Roboco representative Callum Gibbens, who had dominated much of the race after starting from pole position, was ultimately forced to settle for second place. Gibbens had maintained his lead comfortably until his second pit stop, where a slow service saw him emerge behind Grant. Though he managed to regain second place, Gibbens could not hold off the charging Asano in the final laps.

Yuki-min Alex Grant opted for a one-stop strategy that saw him take the lead after Gibbens' pit stop. While this strategy appeared to put him in a strong position to win, traffic and rapidly degrading tires in the closing stages of the race allowed Asano and Gibbens to catch up. Despite his best efforts, Grant could only manage a third-place finish, unable to defend his lead against Asano’s fresher tires.

Shaneil Marcman, the winner of the Zako Cup at Tokachi SP, finished fifth at Autopolis, which allowed him to retain his lead in the Zako Cup standings. Meanwhile Koronesuki Sean Poly finished sixth, keeping him in second place in the standings. Asano’s victory, coupled with his eighth-place finish at Tokachi, now places him third in the overall standings, intensifying the championship battle.

The race was not without its drama, as several drivers fell victim to Autopolis’ challenging layout. Airi Nakamura spun into the gravel at Turn 17 on the very first lap after getting caught out by the outside kerb, ending her race prematurely. Meanwhile Masa Raido lost control while attempting to overtake Sean Poly for fifth at Turn 1, sending his car into the gravel trap and out of contention. Hanni Pham, in a last-ditch effort to pass Mohamed Khashiu at Turn 15 on Lap 50, made contact and suffered suspension damage, forcing him to retire.

The Otonose Kanade team, fielding drivers Dawn Elys and current driver Hanni Pham, remains the only team yet to score points this season, underscoring the difficulties they’ve faced so far.

The Tsuyo Cup race at Autopolis SP on Sunday, August 18, 2024, was a rollercoaster of emotions and high drama, delivering yet another thrilling chapter in the Formula Hololive Japan season. In a race that saw multiple lead changes, daring strategies, and costly mistakes, Michael Turner emerged victorious, taking a well-deserved win for Shirogane Noel in what can be considered a home race for the virtual YouTuber based in Oita.

Kaminari Riba started from pole for Shishiro Botan, marking his first pole position for Botan in FHolo. The young driver showed strong pace in the opening stages, holding onto the lead and battling with Michael Turner and Hoshizono Ryo for the top spot. Riba’s impressive start gave Shishiro Botan fans hope for a memorable win, but his fortunes would take a turn after the first round of pit stops.

Riba, who led the early part of the race, struggled with pit stop execution and navigating traffic, which allowed Turner to capitalize with a perfectly timed one-stop strategy. The issues Riba faced, coupled with the two-stop strategies of Rosen-tai member Vladislav Domaschnev and Raijin Kaczynski, eventually dropped him out of contention for the win.

Michael Turner’s flawless execution of a one-stop strategy was the key to his success at Autopolis. While Riba, Domaschnev, and Kaczynski opted for two stops, Turner’s consistency and timing allowed him to take control of the race after the pit stops. With Riba’s struggles and Domaschnev’s late-race mistake, Turner was able to pull away and secure victory. This win was particularly special for Shirogane Noel, whose fans consider Autopolis a home circuit due to her virtual base in Oita.

Jake Goodwin representing Ookami Mio followed Turner to finish in 2nd place, marking a strong performance, while Hoshizono Ryo equaled his career-best finish in FHolo with 3rd, underlining his consistency and promise as a rising star in the series.

The race was not without its share of incidents. Tyler Williams and Kizuhara Leo both suffered dramatic accidents, flipping their cars after hitting the kerbs at the second hairpin (Turn 10) on Laps 2 and 3, respectively. Neither driver were injured.

Further drama unfolded as Yu Chae-Yon went over the kerbs at Turn 17 on Lap 35, and Vladislav Domaschnev, who had been in the fight for the win, made an uncharacteristic mistake by locking up at Turn 1 on Lap 51, careening into the gravel trap. Domaschnev's error effectively ended his race, and he could only manage a 17th-place finish, a disappointing result for the championship contender.

Houshou Marine representative Lorenzo Ricci's steady drive to 7th place was enough to see him take the lead in the Tsuyo Cup standings, displacing Domaschnev, whose mistake proved costly. Turner's victory catapulted him to 2nd in the championship race, with Domaschnev slipping to 3rd. With only a few races left in the season, the battle for the Tsuyo Cup title is heating up, and every point will be crucial as the championship contenders head into the final rounds.

Both races at the Autopolis SP was a testament to the unpredictability and excitement of Formula Hololive racing. Asano win, etched in the history of ARO and FHolo, serves as a fitting farewell for Aqua as she approaches her final days with Hololive, the memories made at Autopolis will undoubtedly resonate with fans and competitors alike as the series progresses. Meanwhile Michael Turner’s strategic brilliance, coupled with the challenges faced by his rivals, delivered a win that will be celebrated by the Shirogane Holy Knights for years to come. As the championship battle tightens, the stakes have never been higher, and the next round promises to bring even more drama as the drivers continue their quest for glory in the 2024 Formula Hololive Japan season.