Khashiu and Kurashio Win Chaos-Ridden Autopolis Races, Tsuyo Cup Grid Decided For Japan

Oita, 22 May – The 2026 Formula Hololive Japan Qualifiers concluded in dramatic fashion last weekend as the Autopolis GP delivered one of the most chaotic races in series history, with the final Tsuyo Cup places decided amid multiple barrel rolls, late-race retirements and massive swings in the standings across both splits.

In Split A, Tsunomaki Watame representative Mohamed Khashiu in the Dallara SF23 claimed victory in a race of attrition to secure his place in the World Tsuyo Cup. Khashiu entered the weekend near the 11th place Tsuyo cutoff after a difficult Yeongnam round, but his commanding drive at Autopolis elevated him from ninth in the standings to fourth overall.

Alticer Antanarau, driving for Nekomata Okayu, completed a crucial second-place finish that vaulted him to third in the final standings, while Todoroki Hajime representative Masa Raido secured third on the road after a strong recovery weekend for the DEV_IS class driver.

The DEV_IS contingent played a decisive role throughout the race. Allie Jay, representing Kikirara Vivi, climbed to fourth to secure a Tsuyo Cup berth, while Shawn Goh in the Ichijou Ririka entry and Ri Liu for Rindo Chihaya completed the top six. Ri Liu’s finish proved especially significant, as it secured the final guaranteed Tsuyo qualification spot in Split A.

The race, however, will be remembered for the brutal nature of Autopolis’ Turn 11 inside kerbs. Multiple drivers were caught out by the aggressive kerbing profile, with nearly half the field suffering barrel rolls after striking the inside section too hard. Lorenzo Ricci, representing Houshou Marine, who was the last driver above the cutoff line before the race, had led comfortably for much of the race and appeared set to secure a race victory that would have elevated him into Tsuyo qualification contention before a violent rollover ended his race.

A similar fate struck Daniel Barguer in the Hoshimachi Suisei machine. Despite retiring from the race, Barguer’s dominant opening rounds at Fuji and Yeongnam provided enough points for him to retain the Split A championship with 397 points. Chaka Labradores, representing Natsuiro Matsuri, also suffered a disastrous finale after receiving a 30-second penalty for causing a collision with Joshu Asahi in the Hakui Koyori entry, an incident that resulted in Asahi’s retirement.

Despite failing to score at Autopolis, Ozne Wizard in the Inugami Korone car still held onto fifth overall in the standings, while Callum Gibbens for Roboco and Lexi Boan representing Shirogane Noel secured comfortable advancement into the World Tsuyo Cup.

Split B delivered equally dramatic scenes as La+ Darknesss representative Rustim Kurashio stormed to victory in the Dallara SF23, completing a late comeback that elevated him from tenth in the standings last round to third overall. Hoshizono Ryo, driving for Nakiri Ayame, finished second, while Rudy in the Mizumiya Su entry continued his strong breakout campaign with another podium finish.

Vladislav Domaschnev, representing Aki Rosenthal, finished fourth to narrowly secure the final guaranteed Tsuyo position in Split B ahead of Yukihara Touka in the Yukihana Lamy car, who unfortunately became the first driver to miss the Tsuyo Cup in Split B. Seo Byeong-Eun for Koganei Niko and Dag Patterson in the Isaki Riona machine also produced critical results, however only Seo Byeong-Eun managed a high enough position to qualify for the Tsuyo Cup.

As in Split A, Turn 11 proved decisive. Misaki Sakura, representing AZKi, appeared capable of taking victory after leading significant portions of the race before suffering a catastrophic rollover at the infamous kerb section. Had Sakura converted the win, the result would have dramatically reshaped the Tsuyo field, with Sakura being in the Tsuyo.

Several notable names were eliminated from contention after difficult finales. Saerin in the Otonose Kanade entry failed to score and missed qualification entirely despite showing strong pace earlier in the season, while Mohd Shaqif Redza representing Momosuzu Nene, Danilo Goyena for Usada Pekora and Jace Kinsai in the Takane Lui machine all suffered race-ending incidents.

Defending 2025 Japan Tsuyo Cup champion Jake Goodwin secured Ookami Mio's spot in the World Tsuyo Cup despite the DNF by virtue of his results at Fuji and Yeongnam.

When the final standings were confirmed, Barguer and Aqua Azurii, representing Oozora Subaru, emerged as the respective Split champions. All eyes now for Formula Hololive will be at the International runners who will decide their entries for the World Tsuyo Cup at the Monza GP on 13 June .