Ioforia's Evans Looks to Extend INT Lead as HoloProto Heads to Buriram

Isan, June 20 – The 2026 HoloProto International Series resumes this Sunday with the Buriram 200, Round 4 of 9 of the championship, as drivers return to sprint-racing action following the demanding Le Mans 600 event. With the season approaching its halfway point, every point available at Chang International Circuit could prove crucial in determining the battle for the eventual International championship fight.

The spotlight entering the weekend falls firmly on Dan Evans, representing Airani Iofifteen in the No. 15 Oreca 07, who has emerged as the dominant force in the International Series. Evans strengthened his championship advantage with another podium finish at Le Mans and now arrives in Thailand holding a sizeable lead over his nearest challengers. Having already claimed victories at Fuji and Sebring, the Australian driver has quickly established himself as the benchmark in the category.

Behind Evans, the fight for second place remains fiercely contested. Sven Jensen, representing IRyS in the No. 86, enters Buriram as the closest challenger after maintaining consistent form throughout the opening three rounds. Jensen has yet to score a victory this season but has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to maximize points when opportunities arise.

One of the biggest stories of the season has been the emergence of Hiyuta Asano, representing Gigi Murin in the No. 44. Asano's impressive sixth-place finish overall at Le Mans translated into another major points haul for the International championship, elevating the driver into third place in the standings. Momentum appears firmly on Asano's side heading into the Thai round.

Another contender looking to build upon recent success is Yuri-Rafael de Oliveira, representing Nerissa Ravencroft in the No. 76. The Brazilian driver's consistent results have placed him firmly within the top 5, while Hanaori Miyuki, representing Kobo Kanaeru in the No. 40, continues to hold a strong position after an excellent start to the campaign.

Several drivers enter Buriram needing strong performances to remain in championship contention. Aziz Muazif, representing Ayunda Risu in the No. 62 sits within striking distance of the leading group at 220 points but requires a breakthrough result to close the gap. The same applies to Mathias Zacarias, representing Raora Panthera in the No. 60, who showed flashes of competitiveness at Le Mans but remains outside the leading positions.

The EN contingent will once again be represented by several high-profile challengers. Ayrin, representing Hakos Baelz in the No. 85, arrives fresh from a runner-up finish at Le Mans and could carry that momentum into the International championship battle. Meanwhile, Tyler Williams, representing Ouro Kronii in the No. 92, and hometown hopeful Tawan Bhumin, representing Fuwawa Abyssgard in the No. 25 Oreca 07, will be eager to recover ground after mixed fortunes during the opening half of the season.

Further down the standings, Buriram could prove pivotal for drivers fighting to remain in contention for the title. Ryan Kagawa, representing Pavolia Reine in the No. 01, Takeda Adachi, representing Ninomae Ina'nis in the No. 17, and Haziq Yazid, representing Shiori Novella in the No. 90 all face important weekends as the pressure of the championship battle intensifies.

Perhaps no driver enters the event with more urgency than Joshua Azurid, representing Mori Calliope in the No. 4. The defending World Tsuyo champion suffered a disastrous Le Mans weekend after a first-lap collision ended any hopes of a competitive result. With only a handful of points accumulated through the opening rounds, Azurid's title defence is rapidly slipping away, making Buriram a must-win race if any realistic championship ambitions are to survive.

Chang International Circuit has traditionally rewarded drivers who can balance outright pace with tyre management and racecraft. The circuit's long straights and heavy braking zones provide multiple overtaking opportunities, but mistakes can prove costly in a championship that has become increasingly competitive throughout 2026.

With five rounds still remaining after Buriram, the championship is far from decided. However, another strong result for Evans could place one hand firmly on the trophy, while a victory from one of his rivals would dramatically tighten the fight as the HoloProto International Series continues its march toward the season finale.