Why anticipation for the 2026 Super Formula season is higher than ever

Just over two weeks on from a thrilling Super Formula triple-header Suzuka decider, the starting gun was fired on what promises to be an even more exciting 2026 season as the paddock returned to the figure-of-eight circuit for three days of post-season testing.

And with this year’s grid almost set, it feels like there will be more talking points than ever thanks to several high-profile driver moves and a fresh influx of overseas talent.

Two of the biggest names were in the headlines for all the wrong reasons on the opening day of the test. Firstly, Jack Doohan became a viral sensation when he suffered a crash at Degner Curve, instantly bringing back memories of his unfortunate Turn 1 accident in practice for the Japanese Grand Prix in April before he lost his Formula 1 Alpine seat.

Later that day, Kalle Rovanpera, the two-time World Rally champion whose sensational switch to circuit racing was announced back in October, was forced to withdraw due to dizziness. Up to that point, Rovanpera had completed a single session focused on aero testing for the benefit of the Hitech engineers accompanying him at KCMG, completing not a single push lap – hardly the start to his single-seater quest he had been hoping for.

What was already an extremely steep learning curve for the Finn now looks near-vertical with only two more test days to come before the start of the season at Motegi in April. 

Meanwhile, Doohan’s misadventures continued on the second and third days of the test when he suffered two more almost identical crashes at the same corner, each time making the error of taking too much kerb on the entry to Degner 1, spitting him out wide and on to the gravel, from which point he was reduced to the role of mere passenger.

Despite crashes during testing, Doohan had looked set to join the Super Formula grid, only for a deal to fall through late on

Photo by: Masahide Kamio

Sadly, Doohan’s outstanding contractual commitments for Alpine meant he couldn’t speak to the media during the test, but all signs had pointed to the Australian joining Kondo Racing, and most likely take on test and reserve duties in F1 for Toyota-aligned Haas.

But those signals didn't prevail, as negotiations between Doohan and Kondo Racing fell through and the seat ended up going to two-time race winner Ukyo Sasahara.

Williams F1 junior Luke Browning has joined the Super Formula grid with Kondo Racing, having set the quickest time among the rookie contingent on his first of two days with the team. Much like Liam Lawson in 2023, Browning is hoping to use Super Formula as a stepping stone to land a seat in F1.

The rookies-only final day of the test provided a major surprise when Ugo Ugochukwu, the 2024 Macau Grand Prix winner who was dropped from the McLaren junior scheme, went quickest overall

With Kondo having an all-new line-up in 2026, both of its previous drivers hooked up with new teams within the Toyota stable for the Suzuka test. Kenta Yamashita was placed alongside Rovanpera at KCMG, and the size of his grin when he spoke to journalists after the opening day was telling: the sky blue car was a huge improvement over his old Kondo mount.

Likewise relishing the chance of a fresh start in a new squad was Zak O’Sullivan, who will drive for Team Impul. The house built by Kazuyoshi Hoshino has fallen on hard times recently, scoring no points in 2025 with Oliver Rasmussen and Mitsunori Takaboshi (both losing their seats), and is slimming down to one car for O’Sullivan as a result.

It’s a massive vote of confidence in the Briton, who showed flashes of promise as a rookie but otherwise had little to show for his efforts amid Kondo’s struggles.

O'Sullivan has landed at Team Impul after a difficult rookie year in Super Formula

Photo by: Masahide Kamio

Two new teams also turned their first Super Formula laps at Suzuka. One was Delightworks Racing, which is fielding a single Honda-powered car for Nobuharu Matsushita, back on the grid for the first time since the opening races of 2024. The lap times were nothing to write home about, but the seven-time GP2/F2 race winner is clearly determined to make the most of what is realistically his last chance to make his mark in the series.

Also joining the growing ranks of one-car squads is Team Goh, back under its own banner for the first time since 2022, this time with Toyota power. Charlie Wurz, son of ex-Formula 1 racer Alexander, enjoyed a steady three days of running as he prepares to make the step up from FIA Formula 3, with plans to move to Japan together with younger brother Oscar, who is tackling the Super Formula Lights support category with TOM’S this year.

The rookies-only final day of the test provided a major surprise when Ugo Ugochukwu, the 2024 Macau Grand Prix winner who was dropped from the McLaren junior scheme, went quickest overall – albeit with much more favourable conditions than the regulars had for the two days prior.

He is locked in for a second season of F3, but if the American, whose model-like looks made him an instant fan hit, felt like a diversion from the traditional F1 ladder in 2027, Super Formula would surely welcome him with open arms.

This article is one of many in the monthly Autosport magazine. For more premium content, take a look at the February 2026 issue and subscribe today. 

Ugochukwu topped the rookie times on the third day of the test - could he be the next foreign import into Super Formula?

Photo by: Masahide Kamio