JP Splits Set To Ignite On Valentine Weekend the 2026 Formula Hololive Qualifier Battle

Shizuoka, 14 February — The 2026 Formula Hololive season continues its high-intensity opening phase this Valentine weekend as the Ridin’ On Dreams GP @ Fuji JP hosts Round 1 of the Japanese qualifiers, marking the first of two split-based showdowns that will determine who advances to the World Tsuyo Cup and who is relegated to the Zako fight.

Following the return to traditional 305km GP race distances and a streamlined single-race format for each round, Formula Hololive’s revised structure raises the stakes immediately. Across three qualifier rounds, the top 10 drivers in each JP split will progress to the World Tsuyo Cup, alongside the best 11th-placed finisher across both splits, while the remainder will contest the Zako Cup. With only one race per round and no second chance on the weekend, consistency and survival will be critical.

Split A brings together a compelling mix of 2025 Tsuyo and Zako contenders, headlined by Mohamed Khashiu in the #3 Tsunomaki Watame car. Khashiu narrowly missed out on the 2025 Tsuyo title, finishing second overall, and enters 2026 as one of the favourites to secure early qualification. Alongside him is Joshu Asahi in the #54 Hakui Koyori machine, fourth in last year’s Tsuyo Cup and a proven podium finisher, though it will be a question of if he can handle longer distances as well as he did supersprints.

Lorenzo Ricci returns in the #6 Houshou Marine JP car after finishing sixth in the 2025 Tsuyo standings, while Daniel Barguer in the #41 Hoshimachi Suisei entry and Sammy Ake in the #22 Shirakami Fubuki car both seek stronger consistency after fluctuating campaigns last year. Ozne Wizard, driving the #56 Inugami Korone machine, remains a dangerous wildcard, having shown race-winning pace in 2025 despite an inconsistent points haul.

From the 2025 Zako Cup, Maverick Deuxieme in the #46 Omaru Polka car arrives with confidence after finishing second overall in that championship, while Rey Mark Rosales in the #20 Shiranui Flare entry and Chaka Labradores in the #7 Natsuiro Matsuri car will be eager to convert their Zako momentum into Tsuyo qualification this time around. Callum Gibbens, representing Roboco in the #64 car, also steps up after a sixth-place Zako finish last year.

The DEV-class entries add another layer of intrigue. Allie Jay in the #51 Kikirara Vivi car showed flashes of competitiveness in 2025, while Shawn Goh (#66 Ichijou Ririka), Ri Liu (#78 Rindo Chihaya), and Masa Raido (#82 Todoroki Hajime) will aim to disrupt the established JP hierarchy. With all JP cars using the Dallara SF23 and DEV cars running the Dallara SF19 chassis with ballast, performance gaps are expected to be minimal.

Split B is arguably even more stacked. Defending 2025 Tsuyo Cup champion Jake Goodwin returns in the #30 Ookami Mio car as the benchmark of the field. Goodwin’s title-winning campaign was built on strategic intelligence and late-race execution, qualities that will be vital in the high-pressure qualifier format. Jace Kinsai in the #61 Takane Lui JP car, third in last year’s Tsuyo standings, and Mohd Shaqif Redza in the #77 Momosuzu Nene JP machine, fifth overall, ensure the front of Split B is fiercely competitive.

Kaminari Riba, who dominated the 2025 Zako Cup in the #43 Shishiro Botan JP car, transitions into 2026 as a serious Tsuyo contender, while Aqua Azurii in the #48 Oozora Subaru entry and Hanami Kiriko in the #31 Himemori Luna car both carry momentum from strong Zako campaigns. Misaki Sakura (#12 AZKi JP) and Danilo Goyena (#11 Usada Pekora JP) round out a field where nearly every entrant has prior top-tier experience.

Elsewhere, Rustim Kurashio (#39 La+ Darknesss JP), Yukihara Touka (#63 Yukihana Lamy JP), and Hoshizono Ryo (#18 Nakiri Ayame JP) add depth to a grid where the margin between Tsuyo qualification and Zako relegation may come down to a single incident or pit strategy call.

Beyond the split battles, 2026 introduces the unified Formula Hololive World Tsuyo/Zako Cup phase later in the year, where JP and INT drivers will finally compete directly across three decisive rounds. With the Tsuyo on offer, every entrant will be aiming for the top half of the table.

As Fuji prepares to host the Japanese field this weekend, the message is clear: every lap counts, every mistake carries weight, and every position could determine whether a driver fights for overall honors — or battles for redemption in Zako.