Throughout his career, Hiyu Yamakoshi has raced with Van Amersfoort Racing (VAR) on multiple occasions and enjoyed success. In 2025, he’d raced with the team in the 2025 Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) and is set to take the step up to FIA Formula 3 with them in 2026.
The Japanese driver has competed primarily in Europe throughout his single-seater career. Since debuting in 2023, he achieved his best championship result in 2024 with VAR in Italian F4, finishing 3rd in the Drivers’ Standings. Speaking exclusively to Pit Debrief earlier this year, Yamakoshi reflected on his early days and what first sparked his interest in racing.
“Basically, I started racing when I was eight years old. I had a family trip in 2014, and I rented a kart and drove a bit. I realised this is so fun, and I asked my dad, can I do it? That’s sort of my racing career.”
At the beginning of his career, he’d competed in several notable karting championships such as the 2020 IAME Japan Series and the 2022 CIK-FIA European Championship in the OK category. However, Yamakoshi jokingly recalled the “slow” start to his career but said he’d enjoyed karting a lot.
“No, actually not really much, but I just remember I was so slow. Basically, first three races were the blue flag and last, so not the greatest start, but I enjoyed it a lot.”
Draws inspiration from Italian GT driver Ronnie Quinterelli
The 19 year-old said he draws inspiration from Italian GT driver Ronnie Quinterelli. He explained that he admired Quinterelli’s aggressive driving style and consistent ability to push to the limit in Qualifying. For Yamakoshi, he aims to emulate Quinterelli’s precision and commitment to perfect cornering in his own driving.
“Um, in Super GT, I really supported Ronnie Quinterelli. Yeah, he retired last year, and he was driving Nismo GTR and Nismo Z long time. I basically supported the Super GT GT500 Nismo number 23, so his driving is quite aggressive, especially the Qualifying, he’s driving every time, pushing on the limit. That’s basically my target, my cornering fine all the time.”
Yamakoshi said he particularly draws inspiration in Quinterelli’s style and approach to Qualifying. The Japanese driver recalled a session at Montegi where Quinterelli truly pushed his car to the limit, nearly going off-track, and yet still managed to secure pole-position. That display of precision and control became a key influence for him.
“In the racing, no, but in the Qualifying, yes. Especially, I think 2017, I don’t remember which year, but his Qualifying in Motegi was super cool, basically. He was pushing on the limit, almost into the grass, but he managed to keep on the track, and he got the pole position. I think that’s my inspiration.”
Yamakoshi: Everything changed in 2019 after winning SL National Championship
The 19 year-old reflected on his breakthrough year: 2019. That year, he’d won the top class at the SL National Championship that earned him the number one spot in the country. This result then confirmed his path towards European single-seater racing — though the COVID-19 pandemic delayed his move for two years.
He added that while winning races has a unique impact in boosting a driver’s confidence and consistency, and explained that why the pursuit of victory is so important to all drivers.
Yamakoshi said: “In karting, I think everything changed in 2019, when I won the Japan Karting, like World Cup in Japan. I don’t know how to say that race name. Japan Karting meeting, let’s say. Yeah, all Japan Karting. I won the highest class in that race, and I got number one in Japan. And that’s the day racing confirmed going to European racing. Unfortunately, the COVID started from 2020, so I couldn’t go to Europe for two years.”
“Winning is every time so special. Podium is really nice as well, but basically winning is different story. I cannot make a word, but basically, after winning the race, the driving is changing, the result consistency is changing. Basically, all the drivers get more comfortable and more confident in themselves. So for me, that’s the biggest effect of winning. Also, that’s the reason why we want to win.”
For Yamakoshi, his love for motorsport goes beyond winning: “No. Winning is, of course, really fun, but I like driving, I like racing, so if I can’t race, it’s really fun all the day. If it’s winning, I can get more fun. Yeah, it adds to the fun. It’s extra fun, yeah. Yeah, exactly.”
Progressing through the ranks
The 19 year-old is now one step closer to the ultimate goal for many drivers: Formula 1. With his step up to Formula 3 with VAR confirmed, the final step ahead of him will be Formula 2.
He said: “Of course, my goal is Formula 1. It’s going to be really tough. It’s only 20 seats. Also, yeah, going to F2, F3, need a lot of budget. It’s going to be difficult for me from Japan, also quite far. I don’t think it’s quite difficult to get a lot of support from them.”
“But still, I want to become a Formula 1 driver. So I’m trying to get my best result as much as I can in this year or every year, let’s say. I hope I can step up to F2 in two years or three years. I hope I have some chance to become let’s say the first [inaudible] Formula 1 reserve driver or simulator driver.”
In recent years, it’s become clear that securing a Formula 1 seat requires both talent and a bit of luck. When asked about how he chooses his next venture, Yamakoshi explained: “Depends what I want at that time, I think. But yeah, for me, if I have possibility, if that’s the best thing, then I’m going to take the best option every time.”
Representing Japan in the European racing scene
Several Japanese drivers have made their mark in the European racing scene, with Yuki Tsunoda being the most notable, proudly represent the nation in Formula 1. He’d noted that few Japanese drivers compete in Europe, and unlike many who’ve benefitted from a Toyota or Honda scholarship, he finds himself in a unique situation.
While most of his fanbase comes from X, he’d mentioned that he doesn’t focus too heavily on the attention. Instead, he finds more value in the long-standing friendships he’s made with his fellow Japanese drivers.
“Um, yeah, it’s only a few people driving in Europe from Japan. But basically, everyone has a Toyota or Honda scholarship. So I think I’m quite special case. Yeah, for me, I’m not really focused. I am Japanese, I am Asian, just I’m one of the drivers.”
“Every time I’m searching, what’s my followers say on X basically, which Japan really big, X is really big in Japan. So I also, more than 80% of my fans are from X. I don’t know how important those things are. Of course, I have friends in track with Japanese, but just because of the long time, long time friendship.”
When asked about the impact he hopes to have on young drivers, Yamakoshi said: “Of course, I know a few drivers. I was watching the karting race in the Japanese karting championship. I know some drivers are really talented, I hope they can come to Europe. If they want to try, I really want to see him in Europe. If I can help them, of course, I’m going to help them.”
