Nakamura Puts Haachama In Exclusive Club With Tsuyo Cup Win While Patterson Loses Zako Cup Race In Heartbreaking Last Lap Blunder

Sepang, 27 September — The Formula Hololive World Tsuyo/Zako Cup could hardly have asked for a more dramatic opening weekend last weekend. Round 1 of 3 delivered two 44-lap races with completely different endings: a controlled victory for Airi Nakamura in Tsuyo and an agonizing final-lap collapse for Dag Patterson in Zako.

Saturday's Zako Cup race looked destined for Saerin, driving Otonose Kanade's No. 59 Dallara SF19. That changed on Lap 20 when Saerin braked on the wet kerbs, lost control and collected Lorenzo Ricci. The incident ended Saerin's race from the lead and handed Patterson the advantage.

Driving Isaki Riona's No. 68, Patterson controlled the race from that point onward. For 23 laps, the finish appeared to be his to lose. Then came the final lap.

Attempting to pass lapped traffic involving Rey Mark Rosales, Patterson went too wide approaching Turn 11 and dropped into the gravel. The lead disappeared in an instant, and the visibly frustrated Patterson could only watch as Nichi Michan inherited victory for Airani Iofifteen.

Enzio Ferrari finished second for Kureiji Ollie, while Yukihara Touka completed the podium for Yukihana Lamy. Patterson recovered to 11th, but the result will surely be remembered for what might have been. Reports after the race suggested the disappointment was strong enough to involve a drink and, rather unexpectedly, remarks about Memphis Pulled Pork Sandwiches.

Sunday's Tsuyo race was considerably less chaotic at the front. Airi Nakamura, driving Akai Haato's No. 81 Dallara SF23, emerged victorious after a race-long fight with Alticer Antanarau for Nekomata Okayu. Nakamura ultimately had the pace to break clear and claim the opening 200 points of the championship.

Antanarau settled for second on 188 points, while Jake Goodwin brought Ookami Mio's No. 30 home third. Chaka Labradores and Daniel Barguer completed the top five, giving Natsuiro Matsuri and Hoshimachi Suisei strong opening championship scores.

For Haachama fans, Nakamura's victory carries an extra layer of significance. The result makes Akai Haato one of the Hololive talents to have now recorded victories across all three ARO Hololive competitions: Hololive GT3, Formula Hololive and HoloProto. She joins an increasingly exclusive group that includes Hoshimachi Suisei, Roboco and Shirogane Noel, among others.

With Nakamura holding the Tsuyo lead and Michan taking the opening Zako victory, the championship has already developed two very different narratives. Tsuyo has a clear early benchmark. Zako, meanwhile, has a driver in Patterson who knows exactly how quickly a race can disappear.