Mendez Wins As Kagawa Struggles in FHolo INT's Fuji Frenzy

Fuji, Shizuoka, March 3 – The 2024–25 Formula Hololive International season reached a dramatic turning point at Fuji Speedway during Round 9 of the season in the Color Rise Harmony GP. In a race marred by on-track incidents and a red flag restart, Corey-Rico Mendez (No.50, representing Takanashi Kiara) clinched his and Kiara's second victory in FHolo INT while the intense battle in the INT class left top contenders struggling to maintain their momentum.

Novelite driver Haziq Yazid burst from the pole with an impressive pole time of 1:24:746 to set the pace early on. However, as the race unfolded, a series of incidents disrupted strategies and created chaos on the track. The race was temporarily halted with Tomas Ferreira and Ahmed El-Ashour unable to continue after 12 laps, their damaged cars forcing a red flag that only added to the pandemonium.

The restart further underscored the unpredictable nature of the day. A red flag triggered by a major incident on Lap 12 forced drivers to restart under pressure. His difficulties, echoed by the other top five drivers – including Javier Lusby, Joshua Azurid, Liam Kai, and Enzio Ferrari – have thrown the championship title into a delicate balance. Notably, Liam Kai (No.85) experienced significant issues following the red flag restart, yet managed to secure a safe finish and salvage crucial points for his title challenge. Amid the chaos, several drivers involved in the incident—Evelyn Kuromi, Sven Jensen, Mono Zettarou, and others—suffered setbacks that affected their finishing positions, with some fortunate to salvage a top 15 finish.

Championship favorite Ryan Kagawa for Nerissa Ravencroft, known for his on-form performances, found himself caught up in the melee—finishing in 21st place and denting his championship hopes, with his gap to second placed Javier Lusby now shrunk to 185 points. Meanwhile, solid performances from Mohd Shazren Redza and Takeda Adachi ensured upwards movement in the championship table, while others fought valiantly to secure crucial points for their championship aspirations.

The fallout from Round 9 has sent shockwaves through the championship standings. With the top five drivers, including Kagawa, experiencing unexpected difficulties, the title race has intensified considerably. With the championship standings now as tight as ever – Kagawa leads with 1,812 points, trailed by Lusby (1,627) and Azurid (1,437) – every lap in the remaining rounds will be pivotal.

As the points gaps narrow, contenders like Javier Lusby, Joshua Azurid, and Liam Kai now stand poised to challenge for the championship, with the final three rounds looming in the coming months.