At the end of October 2021, Japan Race Promotion Inc., the organizer of the Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship (hereinafter “SUPER FORMULA” with Head Office located in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President: Yoshihisa Ueno; hereinafter “JRP”), launched the NEW project “SUPER FORMULA NEXT 50 ” (hereinafter referred to as “SF NEXT 50”). In collaboration with Deloitte Tohmatsu Financial Advisory LLC, Honda Motor Corporation, Ltd, (hereinafter referred to as “Honda”), and Toyota Motor Corporation (hereinafter referred to as “TOYOTA”) and together with many other partner companies, aiming to create a sustainable motorsports industry for the future by using SUPER FORMULA platform as the leading edge “testing ground” for the development of new and sustainable mobility and entertainment technologies.
The latest results from the many new developments will already be implemented in the upcoming 2023 season when SUPER FORMULA celebrates its 50th Anniversary in the national top formula category. SUPER FORMULA is launching the brand new “SF23” racing machine, a formula car created to be Carbon-Neutral and have highly improved entertainment value.
At the same time, the new digital platform, the “SFgo”, will be launched in mid-January 2023 to enable motorsports fans from all around the world to experience the attractiveness of the SUPER FORMULA championship.

『SF23』

『SFgo』

　
Based on the following two main themes; “Carbon Neutrality” and “Improved Entertainment Value,” in 2022 the development of this cutting-edge SUPER FORMULA racing machine was held seven different times at the five race tracks across Japan where SUPER FORMULA holds its races. The various tests were done over a total distance of over 10,000 km (the distance of approximately 60 races) in conjunction between HONDA and TOYOTA, transcending all existing boundaries between the two competing manufacturers.
Hence, the new “SF23” race machine to be launched this coming season, was compiled based on the results achieved during the entire 2022 tests.

As one of the carbon-neutral measures taken, the body parts of the SF23 – Dallara chassis racing machines have been built from Bcomp’s bio-composite material, however maintaining the same rigidity and weight as the conventional carbon materials but focused completely on the application of natural substances such as hemp-derived materials. Thereby reducing CO2 emissions by approximately 75% concerning the raw materials as well as during the manufacturing process.
In terms of racing tires, Yokohama Tires, the SUPER FORMULA tire supplier, has implemented its accumulated know-how to develop racing tires that utilize renewable raw materials, such as natural compounding agents and recycled substances. These newly developed tires, made from approximately 33%* recycled and renewable raw materials, will continue to steadily provide the same performance as the tires presently mounted on the SUPER FORMULA machines.
Hence, from the 2023 season, the SUPER FORMULA racing machines will be lapping on the world’s first “Carbon Neutral Racing Tire” produced by Yokohama Tires.
About the topic of carbon-neutral fuel, in 2023, SUPER FORMULA will not yet introduce its newfound clear technologies, and instead, it will continue to further explore and test the various possibilities in collaboration with the entire automobile industry.

In addition, the SUPER FORMULA has been focusing also on analyzing the aerodynamic features of the car body to create an improved racing machine that will be able to demonstrate each driver’s skills and potential including during closer battles.
Through a meticulous driving evaluation process done on the actual test racing cars during test procedures performed at Suzuka Circuit in October 2022 and at Mobility Resort Motegi in November 2022, the new SUPER FORMULA machines were able to successfully reach the target and achieve the required aerodynamic changes.

The SUPER FORMULA championship is confident that millions of fans from all around the world will be greatly entertained by the many exciting and newly implemented aspects and further enjoy more fierce and close battles that the racing drivers entered in the SF 2023 season will surely unfold.
*Renewable raw material ratio for DRY tires.

Based on the concept of “conveying the full appeal of the racing drivers by taking advantage of the power of digital technology,” together and from various perspectives, we have been considering how the appeal of the SUPER FORMULA machines should be experienced, taking also into consideration the precious evaluation and ideas shared by the 600 members of the “SFgo Development Supporters” group.
One of the most attractive features of the “SFgo” platform is that in addition to the live race feeds, the fans can also enjoy all kinds of information about the drivers in real-time. In addition to onboard camera footage and car telemetry data, the fans will be able to select and view information on the driver they wish to follow, including the location information via high-precision GPS as well as “listen in” on some of the radio interaction between team and driver.
In addition to updating the “race experience” in this way, the new SUPER FORMULA service, the “SFgo” aims to create a community platform for motorsports fans, where fans will be able to also edit their own videos and disseminate them via SNS, and in the future, step by step create new content linked to “WEB 3.0” such as NFT and Metaverse.
The “SFgo” overall service will be launched in mid-January 2023 as a free downloadable application, and later, starting from the SUPER FORMULA’s season opener in April, the actual race videos will be available on the “SFgo” platform for a fee (from 990 yen/month).

On the other hand, fans will be able to enjoy watching archived videos of past top formulas, including F3000 and Formula Nippon, reading social networking and news of teams and drivers, and purchasing tickets and goods all as part of the platform’s free content.
“SFgo” will continue to take on various challenges as a testbed that will provide a smooth and efficient digital shift in the domestic motorsports industry.
Together with our fans and all other related parties, the SUPER FORMULA championship will continue to develop motorsports entertainment that is on par with the best in the world.
With the launch of the “SFgo” service, the SUPER FORMULA official YouTube page, which this year has been offering some of the services for a fee, will be made free of charge from April 2023 and will continue to be actively utilized as an essential channel to introduce the enjoyment of motorsports to a wider and worldwide audience.

< Outline of the “SFgo” services (from the start of the season in April 2023)>

In 2023 the SUPER FORMULA season will consist of 7 events / 9 races. The season will kick off at the beginning of April with a two-race format opening weekend at Fuji Speedway and the season will end at Suzuka Circuit in October with another double-header weekend. In April and August, the two single races to be held respectively at Suzuka Circuit and the Mobility Resort Motegi circuit will both be held in conjunction with the MFJ All Japan Road Race Championship (JSB1000) series. Detailed information for each round will be provided sequentially in February of 2023.
Regarding the drivers’ lineup for the upcoming 2023 season and although some of the teams are still officially announcing their drivers’ lineup, SUPER FORMULA will compete with a lineup of 20 top racing drivers and a total of 11 top racing teams. Several new drivers from abroad are also scheduled to join the championship and surely add to the excitement and thrill of the SUPER FORMULA 2023 season.
The SUPER FORMULA championship is deeply honored for all the passionate, and incredible support both the fans and the media worldwide continue to devote to this championship. The 2023 season is just around the corner. Together we are looking forwards to the many exciting battles and enjoyable race events, as the year 2023 marks the 50th anniversary of the top formula racing category in Japan.

＜Press inquiries＞
Japan Race Promotion Inc.
International PR contact：Mr. Kazu Tohda(inquiry@jrp-inc.net)

＜Attachment１：2023 SUPER FORMULA Race Calendar＞

＜Attachment 2：SUPER FORMULA Teams And Drivers – Lineup for 2023＞