Hitech’s Ritomo Miyata heads into the twelfth round of the 2026 F2 season in Baku fresh off a breakthrough weekend in Madrid, where he secured his maiden victory alongside a podium finish to cap off a standout weekend.
Walking away from the MADRING with 26 points, the Japanese driver now sits 12th in the Drivers’ Standings with 70 points. Speaking in a virtual media session ahead of the weekend, attended by Pit Debrief, Miyata previewed the unique one-off supersized F2 round, which will feature an additional Qualifying session and Feature Race in Baku.
“Yeah, you know, this weekend we have two qualifying sessions and three races. It’s quite interesting, because it’s different compared to usual.”, he said. “Anyway, it’s just we have additional session, I would say. So it’s very interesting, and I’m looking forward to it.”
Miyata opens up on settling into the European racing scene after two seasons
“The biggest difference thing is tyre, car and track. Because, especially tyre and track is for me it’s every time different. Because I came from Japan and different tyre manufacturer. And also track is, you know, I’ve never been to before in my career. I mean, in Europe or Middle East.”, the 27 year-old said when asked about the biggest challenge he has faced and how they have changed after two seasons of racing in Europe.
For a driver who had found success across several other categories before making the move to F2, Miyata explained that he initially faced a significant disadvantage when racing against drivers who had experience at circuits on the calendar since the start of their single-seater careers.
“But compared to other drivers, they come from Europe or Middle East, so they know track and also they know tyres. For me, every time first time, not every time, but, you know, after one year I have experience, but still I only have like a race weekend experience. I don’t have any tests or practice.”
“Because they came from Formula 4, so they can practice more from before F2. But for me, it’s direct to F2, it’s very difficult to manage the tyre or everything. And also, for me, I’m Japanese, so I don’t need to speak in English in Japan. So this is also different, you know, culture.”
He added: “Yeah, but now I fully understand how to adapt or drive, quick drive on the track. And also, F2 the schedule. So, especially in Madrid, finally we’re working well, my experience, and also everything was smooth work.”
Finding success on street circuits
From one street track to another, the streets of Baku await another year of racing. As the 2026 F2 grid tackles an additional session and race this weekend, the Japanese driver shared his thoughts on the demands of the expanded round.
“Baku is also a street track, I mean, compared to Madrid or other tracks. But again, Baku has also many red flags in qualifying or many safety cars during the race. So we need to be sure to set the best lap without big mistakes, because qualifying is really important in F2. So we need to achieve the top 10 in qualifying.”
“Of course, Baku has a lot of overtaking opportunity because we have a long straight. But even that, we need to be sure good lap, and also we need to stay calm because race will [have] a lot happens. So, yeah, these things are really challenging, I think.”
As the season enters its final stretch, however, Miyata has identified clear areas of focus heading into the weekend. Reflecting on his weekend in Madrid, where everyone started on a clean slate, he credited the team’s thorough preparation for his success at the new venue.
“Madrid was [everyone] first start from zero experience, so we did a lot of preparation. Yeah, I think that works on the weekend. So we did a lot of preparation and then I think that’s really working well. And also, again, we achieved the top 10 qualifying, and then, yeah that’s why we achieved that.”
A “much smoother” year
Now in his third F2 season with his third different team, the 27 year-old has gained experience at most of the circuits on the calendar, giving him a stronger foundation to build on and aim for smoother weekends each year.
When asked by Pit Debrief how he viewed his growth since the start of the year, Miyata said: “This year I was expecting much more smoother than last year, but during the season, we had struggled with something. But after summer break, we’re back to good performance.”
“And especially since Monza, we achieved the top 10 qualifying and Madrid, we won the Sprint Race and then back to the podium in the Feature Race with P3. So, yeah, just now we have like good performance, I think. So we need to keep it like this.”
“And from my side, I need to be always clean drive, good lap, and score points in both races, I think. Yeah, that’s different compared to the beginning or middle of the season.”
Learning and pushing each other to develop alongside Herta
At Hitech, Miyata has spent the season alongside former IndyCar driver Colton Herta, who joined the championship after achieving considerable success in the series. Working alongside the American, Miyata explained how they have used their different backgrounds to their advantage and how it has helped them identify the differences between F2 and the other categories they have raced in.
“Yeah, you know, he came from IndyCar. I would say he’s professional driver because he’s like a manufacturer driver, I would say. And I also come from the Super Formula, the Super GT. So, we know what’s the difference, the single-seater and the endurance. And also what’s the difference in single-seater, junior category or the top category.”
He added: “So, we try to understand what’s the difference between this and also what’s preferred planning of the run plan or race crafts or everything, or short run. Because I have two years in F2 and he doesn’t have any experience F2.”
“But he knows a few tracks in Europe because he has raced in F3 from a long time. So, I learn from him about, you know, how to work in the different culture the team works in. And I just learn about what’s the different Europe culture and also junior categories, everything.”
“Very special” to drive street circuits
For Miyata, street circuits presented a new challenge, as he had little to no experience racing on them during his time in Japan. When asked why he has found a strong rhythm around this type of track, he explained: “Yeah, I enjoy street track because, for me, in Japan, we don’t have any street tracks. So, very challenging and very special for me.”
“And finally, I can understand how to drive the street tracks. I mean, how to drive fast. Yeah, and then finally, we finished P1 and P3 in Madrid. And finally, I could enjoy driving streets.”
However, looking ahead to the final rounds of the season, the 27 year-old noted how his results and momentum have improved since the summer break. He will now look to carry that momentum forward as he targets his maiden pole position and further race wins.
“Actually, for me, after the summer break, we already improved the results. So, of course, we have still a little bit to go. So, we want to be in a good momentum. And then, we want to, of course, get the pole position and winning more races in the future.”
Miyata: “Finally, my experience is working well”
“Maybe it’s just I need to get more experience. Because, you know, F2, I’m not allowed to practice or test, I mean, without an official test. So, it’s very difficult to understand the track, or car, or tyre, or even team. So, just for me, I need to take more time with the European team, or F2, or tyre, or tracks.”, said Miyata when asked how he navigated the difficult rounds he faced throughout the season.
Reflecting on how his experience has paid off this year, Miyata acknowledged the challenges he faced when he first joined the championship. With that experience now under his belt, he believes it has played a crucial role in allowing him to showcase flashes of speed throughout the season.
“Finally, you know, this year, I know how to drive fast with F2, the car, tyre, and also track. And then, yeah. So, finally, my experience has [paid off] a lot. I mean, compared to my first year, I don’t have any experience, the track, and the car, tyre, everything. But now, finally, my experience working well.”
“And that experience is completely different, compared to where I am in Japan. Because, you know, the track is different, tyre is different, car is also different. And the team is also, of course, different. So, it’s very difficult to use my experience, I mean, all the experience.”
“But now, I have two and a half years experience, and I can use that. And also, I can adapt to the next session, or the car balance, or everything. So I just needed to take time.”
No difference in approach despite expanded weekend
When asked by Pit Debrief about the key areas of focus for the expanded weekend, the Japanese driver explained that the team would maintain its usual approach.
“For me, it’s, yeah, same as the usual. Just, we need to achieve the top 10 in qualifying, and the score points for this. Just, yeah, we don’t [approach any] different.”
With his sights set on executing a clean Qualifying, Miyata highlighted the importance of the first Qualifying session, which will determine the grids for both the Sprint and Feature Races. Nonetheless, the Japanese driver stated that his approach to the two sessions will remain largely unchanged
“I would say that both qualifying sessions are very important because, yeah, one qualifying is for the Sprint Race and the Feature Race and the second qualifying will be for the second Feature Race. So, yeah, especially for the first qualifying, I think we need to be in the top 10 because it’s the same as the usual results.”
“But the second qualifying is just for the Feature Race. Even, for example, if P11 and P12 still have a chance of scoring points. But the first qualifying is really important, I think. But anyway, it’s not so much different. Just full push for both qualifying.”
