Goodwin and Riba Seal FHolo Championships After Chaotic Suzuka–Fuji Finale Weekend

Shizuoka, 28 November — The 2025 Formula Hololive Japan World Tsuyo/Zako Cup season came to a dramatic, unprecedented end as a chaotic weekend at Suzuka forced the ARO to move the Tsuyo Cup finale overnight to Fuji Speedway. When the dust settled, Jake Goodwin, representing Ookami Mio in the #30 Mio-car, claimed the Tsuyo Cup, while Kaminari Riba, representing Shishiro Botan in the #43 Botan-car, captured the Zako Cup—neither champion having taken a single win during the Tsuyo/Zako period.

The Zako Cup finale began at Suzuka on Saturday with Race 1 marred by multiple heavy incidents at Turn 2. Early in the race, Vladislav Domaschnev, driving for Aki Rosenthal in the #19, spun off on Lap 4 and retired. Moments later, Shawn Goh, representing Ichijou Ririka in the #66, also went off at the same corner. As Goh’s car sat stranded, Ri Liu, driving for Rindo Chihaya in the #78, made heavy contact. A red flag was issued three laps later to recover Liu’s damaged car.

On the restart, further Turn 2 incidents plagued the field. Aqua Azurii, driving for Oozora Subaru in the #48, went off on Lap 22, and Rey Mark Rosales, representing Shiranui Flare in the #20, collided heavily after collecting Goh’s earlier debris. Another red flag was thrown, leaving only eight cars to contest the restart. Race control instructed drivers to treat Turn 2 with extreme caution, and the race eventually ran uninterrupted to its end.

Victory went to Maverick Deuxieme, representing Omaru Polka in the #46, with Riba finishing second—an important result that placed the Botan-driver in prime position for the title. Jake Martinez, driving for Tokoyami Towa in the #10, claimed an impressive third, while Chaka Labradores (Natsuiro Matsuri, #7), Ho Phu-My (Tokino Sora, #36), and Dag Patterson (Isaki Riona, #68) completed the top six.

With the field severely depleted and confidence shaken, the Zako Cup Race 2 was called off after only two laps due to yet another multi-car incident at Turn 2. As a result, Race 1 points alone determined the championship. Riba’s second place in Race 1 lifted the #43 Botan-car to 501 points, enough to secure the 2025 Zako Cup, narrowly holding off Deuxieme’s #46 Polka-car on 496 points. Azurii placed third overall with 476 points, while early-season leader Tyler Williams (Amane Kanata, #57) settled for fourth.

The escalating safety concerns forced the ARO to take extraordinary action: the Tsuyo Cup finale was relocated overnight to Fuji Speedway, with teams arriving and ready to compete by Sunday morning.

At Fuji, the Tsuyo Cup Race 1 delivered cleaner, more strategic racing. Ozne Wizard, driving for Inugami Korone in the #56, triumphed after a decisive late push. Goodwin finished second, a crucial result that placed the #30 Mio-car in mathematical control. Ed Skye, representing Kazama Iroha in the #16, completed the podium. Behind them, Jace Kinsai (Takane Lui, #61), Hoshizono Ryo (Nakiri Ayame, #18), and Misaki Sakura (AZKi, #12) rounded out the top six. Two major title contenders—Joshu Asahi (Hakui Koyori, #54) and Yukihara Touka (Yukihana Lamy, #63)—retired with engine failures, severely damaging their championship hopes.

Race 2 saw a surprising winner as Mohd Shaqif Redza, representing Momosuzu Nene in the #77, controlled the race to take his first Tsuyo-period victory. Sammy Ake (Shirakami Fubuki, #22) finished second ahead of Lorenzo Ricci (Houshou Marine, #6). Goodwin crossed the line fourth, securing the points needed to fend off the late charge from Mohamed Khashiu, driving for Tsunomaki Watame in the #3, who finished seventh.

With the Fuji double-header complete, Goodwin claimed the 2025 Tsuyo Cup with 563 points, edging Khashiu’s #3 Watame-car by a single point on 562—one of the closest finishes in ARO history. Lui’s #61 car driven by Kinsai finished third overall with 468.

The extraordinary weekend—defined by Suzuka’s dangerous Turn 2 conditions, a shortened Zako finale, and an emergency Tsuyo relocation—will be remembered not only for its drama, but for the champions it produced. Goodwin and Riba, consistent and resilient throughout the season, lifted their respective cups despite never winning during the final Tsuyo/Zako phase.

As Formula Hololive Japan closes its 2025 season, teams now regroup, assess the turbulence of the finale, and prepare for a 2026 championship already promising major structural and safety reviews.