Korone's Wizard and Ayame's Ryo Strike First as Fuji Opens 2026 Formula Hololive Japan Qualifiers

Shizuoka, 1 March — The 2026 Formula Hololive GT3 Japan Qualifiers began in earnest last weekend with the Ridin’ On Dreams GP @ Fuji, marking Round 1 of the season and setting the tone for the fierce battle to reach the Tsuyo Cup. With Split A racing on Saturday and Split B on Sunday, both events launched at 10am JST under clear skies, featuring full grids of Dallara SF19 cars for the DEV class entrants and SF23 machinery for the JP class entrants.

Saturday’s Split A race saw Ozne Wizard representing Inugami Korone in the #56 car deliver a commanding performance to secure victory and the full 200-point haul. From lights out, Wizard controlled the tempo of the race, fending off early pressure and building a decisive gap in the latter stages to claim the first win of the 2026 qualifiers campaign.

Daniel Barguer, driving the #41 for Hoshimachi Suisei, followed home in second, keeping himself firmly in the early championship frame. Callum Gibbens in the #64 representing Roboco completed the podium, with a 3rd after a measured and consistent drive.

Jake Martinez in the #10 car for Tokoyami Towa finished fourth, while Mohamed Khashiu in the #3 machine representing Tsunomaki Watame rounded out the top five. Lorenzo Ricci for Houshou Marine, Joshu Asahi for Hakui Koyori, and Alticer Antanarau for Nekomata Okayu completed the upper midfield, with Maverick Deuxieme and Ed Skye closing out the top ten positions that currently guarantee Tsuyo Cup eligibility. With only the top 10 in each split across both splits — advancing to the Tsuyo Cup, the margins were immediately significant. Chaka Labradores for Natsuiro Matsuri is currently just outside the top 10, finishing 11th, while the DEV-class quartet led by Allie Jay for Kikirara Vivi found themselves outside the qualifying positions and destined for the Zako Cup unless results shift later in the campaign.

Sunday’s Split B race produced an equally decisive winner, as Hoshizono Ryo representing Nakiri Ayame in the #18 dominated proceedings to take 200 points and the early Split B lead. Ryo’s clean execution in traffic and superior pace through Fuji’s technical sectors proved untouchable across the set race distance.

Aqua Azurii in the #48 car for Oozora Subaru secured second with 175 points, while Rudy delivered a standout DEV-class result in third for Mizumiya Su aboard the #45, scoring 150 points and firmly placing himself inside the Tsuyo Cup cutoff zone.

Jake Goodwin for Ookami Mio and Yukihara Touka for Yukihana Lamy completed the top five, followed by Seo Byeong-Eun for Koganei Niko and Joey for Juufuutei Raden. Ho Phu-My for Tokino Sora, Saerin for Otonose Kanade, and Mohd Shaqif Redza for Momosuzu Nene rounded out the top ten. Just outside the guaranteed Tsuyo Cup places were Kaminari Riba for Shishiro Botan and Misaki Sakura for AZKi, while several notable names — including Danilo Goyena for Usada Pekora who finished 15th and Rustim Kurashio for La+ Darknesss who finished outside the points — endured difficult opening rounds and left Fuji without a lot of points.

As Round 1 of the 2026 JP Qualifiers, the Fuji results now serve as the provisional standings for the season. With advancement spots limited, the pressure heading into Round 2 will intensify sharply. The early statements from Wizard and Ryo have established them as immediate title threats, but with multiple established race winners sitting outside the top ten in their respective splits, the fight for Tsuyo Cup qualification can only get more intense from here, as the road to the World Tsuyo Cup intensifies.