New Cup, Same Old Pressure As Sepang Superprix Is Set

Sepang, 18 September — The Formula Hololive World Tsuyo/Zako Cup finally returns this weekend, and there is very little room left for anyone to hide. The Sepang Superprix opens the three-round 2026 World Tsuyo/Zako Cup, with 44 laps scheduled for each race. Zako takes the early shift Saturday at 8am MYT/9am JST, before Tsuyo takes over Sunday at 2pm MYT/3pm JST.

The Tsuyo field arrives with a particularly interesting mix of established names and drivers promoted through the qualifying system. Daniel Barguer arrives with the strongest qualifying record of the JP Split A contingent, taking 397 points and a win at Yeongnam earlier this year across the qualification campaign for Hoshimachi Suisei. Aqua Azurii was even more prolific in Split B, scoring 447 points for Oozora Subaru. Those numbers make both drivers immediate names to watch when the lights go out at Sepang. However, Nakirigumi representative Hoshizono Ryo will be ready to have people eat their words as the second best from Split B, having amassed two podium finishes in the three qualifier races in Japan Split B. The International field may be even more dangerous. Takeda Adachi and Ninomae Ina'nis enter with 350 points with a win at the shortened Laguna Seca SP, while Ayrin's consistently good campaign for Hakos Baelz provides another serious warning. In a 44-lap race, a clean strategy could rapidly turn any of them into a podium contender.

Saturday's Zako Cup has its own heavyweight storyline. Saerin leads the class for Otonose Kanade, but the field includes Joey, Dag Patterson, Masa Raido and Grave Prower. Prower is particularly intriguing: entering the Zako Cup with his represented vTuber, Mococo Abyssgard through her indefinite hiatus, he enters Sepang with only the win at Fuji, but with two non-points finished that led to him being in the Zako, he will be sure to bring maximum destruction in his wake through a redemption campaign.

Sepang's heat and recently, haze, then the long straights and heavy braking zones will be the tale about who can survive the full 44 laps. The Formula Hololive title fight has only three rounds, and the first race for this one begins before most fans have finished their quick breakfast at their local Mamak restaurants.