Khashiu and Williams Shine as Okayama Opens 2025 Tsuyo/Zako Cup

Okayama, 5 September - The Okayama GP opened the Tsuyo/Zako Cup with two days of drama, incident, and breakthrough victories as Formula Hololive Japan’s 2025 postseason began. Both the Zako Cup and Tsuyo Cup delivered storylines that will shape the three-round sprint to the titles, with established names holding their ground and new winners etching their names into history.

Race 1 in the Zako Cup saw Tyler Williams, driving for Amane Kanata, claim his and Kanata’s first-ever Formula Hololive Japan victory. Williams navigated the chaos of reliability failures and kerb-induced flips at Atwood and the Hairpin, pulling clear after early contenders fell away. Airi Nakamura, representing Akai Haato, chased hard but settled for second, while Callum Gibbens for Roboco rounded out the podium.

Behind them, Hanami Kiriko for Himemori Luna impressed with fourth place, while Shawn Goh for Ichijou Ririka led the DEV-class charge in fifth. Reliability woes and spins eliminated half the grid, including Chaka Labradores (Natsuiro Matsuri), Kaminari Riba (Shishiro Botan), and Jeff Rohan (Tokoyami Towa), setting the tone for a bruising weekend.

Race 2 belonged to Aqua Azurii, representing Oozora Subaru, who finally delivered her maiden ARO and Formula Hololive win. After a frantic start that saw a pileup at Piper involving Vladislav Domaschnev (Aki Rosenthal), Lexi Boan (Shirogane Noel), and Raijin Kacyznski (Yuzuki Choco), Azurii emerged in control.

For much of the 38-lap contest, Azurii fended off pressure from Chaka Labradores, who even briefly led early on before spinning at the final corner while chasing Azurii who was stuck in lapped traffic. That left Rey Mark Rosales for Shiranui Flare in position to attack, but Azurii held firm to take a popular victory. Nakamura again featured on the podium in third, cementing her early championship lead.

After Okayama, Nakamura sits atop the Zako Cup standings on 325 points, ahead of Kiriko (238) and Maverick Deuxieme for Omaru Polka (220). Azurii, despite her Race 1 retirement, vaulted to fifth with 204 points, ensuring the title fight remains wide open.

In the Tsuyo Cup, Lorenzo Ricci, driving for Houshou Marine, extended his reputation as a proven winner by taking victory in Race 1. Ricci kept his car composed as rivals faltered over the notorious Okayama kerbs, leading home Mohd Shaqif Redza for Momosuzu Nene in second. Yukihara Touka, representing Yukihana Lamy, joined them on the podium in third.

Further back, Joshu Asahi for Hakui Koyori and Jake Goodwin for Ookami Mio rounded out the top five, while Mohamed Khashiu for Tsunomaki Watame managed only sixth after struggling with traction in traffic. Even those who performed in qualifiers like Ozne Wizard (Inugami Korone) and Saerin (Otonose Kanade) were reminded that survival was as important as speed.

Race 2 flipped the script. Khashiu, determined to bounce back, mastered the conditions and delivered Watame’s first FHolo win, holding off a late charge from Daniel Barguer for Hoshimachi Suisei, who came home second. Jace Kinsai for Takane Lui followed in third, while defending champion Danilo Goyena for Usada Pekora took fourth after a fierce scrap.

Ricci, unable to replicate his Race 1 pace, salvaged eighth but kept himself firmly in contention. Jake Martinez for Hiodoshi Ao impressed again with a top-five finish in Race 2, solidifying his DEV-class credentials against top JP opposition.

Khashiu now leads the Tsuyo Cup standings on 290 points, with Ricci close behind on 257. Touka sits third on 194, with Barguer and Redza tied at 175 each. With just two rounds left, the Okayama results ensure the fight will go down to the wire.

Okayama also marked the debut of Misaki Sakura, who replaced Krzysztof Salmonman as AZKi’s driver. Despite solid mid-pack runs, Sakura couldn’t yet break into the top five, but team representatives praised her steady adaptation.

Officials also issued stern reminders to Tsuyo Cup drivers after multiple rollovers from over-aggressive kerb strikes, particularly at Atwood. Race control instructed teams to “prioritize finishing over flamboyance,” highlighting the fine margins of the SF23/19-BoP split.

The Okayama GP delivered a blend of chaos and breakthrough moments that set the stage for the Tsuyo/Zako Cups. With Williams, Azurii, Khashiu, and Ricci all adding to the winners’ list – and Nakamura seizing the early Zako lead – Suzuka promises to escalate the tension as the 2025 postseason gathers momentum as the Cup phase enters the midstage.