New Era, Familiar Rivalries: Okayama Hosts Opening Round of the 2025 Tsuyo/Zako Cup
The series' switch to the new Dallara SF23 chassis for most teams headlines a stacked Okayama GP weekend, as contenders clash for early momentum in the 2025 Formula Hololive Japan Tsuyo/Zako season.
ARO Japanese Racing Season, Adak-RMS Organization, Formula Hololive, Virtual
29 August 2025 at 5:58:42 pm
Mohd Shazren Redza

Okayama – 30 August – The 2025 Formula Hololive Japan Tsuyo/Zako Cup gets underway this weekend at Okayama International Circuit, where a new chapter begins with the long-awaited debut of the Dallara SF23 chassis in the JP class. With Balance of Performance ballast applied to the outgoing SF19 cars for DEV_IS teams, parity is expected across the field — but with the stakes as high as ever, the Okayama GP is set to be a proving ground for both seasoned Tsuyo Cup challengers and hungry Zako Cup talents.
The Tsuyo Cup grid features 21 of the most consistent qualifiers across last season’s split rounds, including familiar frontrunners such as Inugami Korone’s Ozne Wizard (#56), who topped the Split A standings on a dominant 710 points with a double at Motegi. Hot on his heels will be Tsunomaki Watame’s Mohamed Khashiu (#3), looking to carry his late-season momentum into the new campaign, while Momosuzu Nene’s Mohd Shaqif Redza (#77) and Nakiri Ayame’s Hoshizono Ryo (#18) remain strong threats for early victories.
All eyes, however, will be on Misaki Sakura, who steps into the AZKi seat in the #12 SF23 after Krzysztof Salmonman’s sudden departure from the ARO. Sakura’s shock promotion has already shaken the paddock; now she faces the challenge of proving herself against the grid’s most seasoned names. Another key debut comes from Yukihara Touka, representing Yukihana Lamy in the #63, who showed flashes of pace during qualifiers and will relish her first full Tsuyo campaign after taking over from Alex Grant.
Split B sends its own powerhouses into the fight. Takane Lui’s Jace Kinsai (#61) emerged as a worthy contender driver across both splits, racking up 607 points, while Houshou Marine’s Lorenzo Ricci (#6) and Kikirara Vivi’s Allie Jay (#51) will look to carry their Split B momentum into the Tsuyo stage. Usada Pekora’s Danilo Goyena (#11), meanwhile, earned his place with an aggressive qualifying campaign and will be eager to prove himself in the SF23.
In the Zako Cup, the battle promises to be no less dramatic. Natsuiro Matsuri’s Chaka Labradores (#7) headlines after narrowly missing out on Tsuyo qualification in a head-to-head with Salmonman, a result that may fuel extra motivation this weekend. Tokoyami Towa’s Jeff Rohan (#10) and Shishiro Botan’s Kaminari Riba (#43) both showed speed in the split qualifiers and will aim to set the pace in Zako competition. Elsewhere, Hanami Kiriko in the Himemori Luna #31, Sakura Miko’s Isekaijin Mikolev (#35) and Akai Haato’s Airi Nakamura (#81) are expected to challenge for podiums.
The Okayama circuit itself, a technical 3.7 km layout blending slow hairpins with medium-speed sweepers, traditionally rewards consistent rhythm and tire management. With the new SF23 debuting here under hot late-summer conditions, JP class engineers and drivers alike face the task of learning quickly how the new car works, while the DEV_IS class will be busy managing the heavy ballast on their SF19 machinery. Strategy will be as vital as raw pace in both Tsuyo and Zako races.
With the season-opening round carrying both symbolic weight and critical early points, Okayama is set to showcase the fresh rivalries, new machinery, and breakthrough contenders that define the 2025 Formula Hololive Japan championship.