25-year-old Ritomo Miyata has taken part in a long term partnership with Toyota Gazoo Racing. Having taken part in the TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Driver Challenge Program in 2023, Miyata has raced the last two seasons of Formula 2, backed by Toyota Gazoo Racing.
Along with this partnership, of course comes a relationship with Toyota’s Chairman, Akio Toyoda—commonly referred to as Morizo. In a media session attended by Pit Debrief, Miyata went further into the relationship he has held with Toyota Gazoo Racing. This included the goals set for him, as well as the advice they have given.
The goals set for Ritomo Miyata
Like most drivers competing in the feeder series, Miata’s ultimate goal is to land in the world of Formula 1. Although Toyota is not currently a part of Formula 1, though this may change given their recent partnership with Haas F1 Team, they are helping Miyata reach his goals as best they can.
Toyota runs in the World Endurance Championship currently, and this is a key area they have given Miyata opportunities in. Although he comes from a strong background in Super Formula and Super GT Japan, the Japanese driver has stepped into Daytona and Le Mans, as well as hypercar races with Toyota.
Following the guidance of Toyota, with his Formula 1 goals in mind, Miyata made the step over to Formula 2 in 2024. This was at the suggestion of Toyota Gazoo Racing, in order to find more Formula 1 opportunities.
“It’s quite difficult question. Just I will say, at first, I want to say thanks to [Akio Toyoda] Morizo-san, who is the chairman of Toyota. He’s a big support to my dream.”
“I always say my dream is Formula 1. But, you know, Toyota is not running in F1. They are running WEC. But Morizo-san always supports me. That’s why I drive F2. Because F2, if I succeed in F2, you know, [a] driver can get a chance of Formula 1 test or full seat or, you know. So F2 has a lot of opportunities for F1. So that’s why I came here. I always follow their opinion.”
Advice given by Toyota Gazoo Racing
Miyata went on to speak about the little advice Toyota Gazoo Racing was able to give him. Miyata had many commitments with the organisation—from racing in Formula 2, to racing endurance and hypercard, from Le Mans to Daytona.
With such a jam-packed schedule, Miyata and Toyota found it hard to find time to meet up. This continued into the 2025 Formula 2 season, where the meetings have lessened still. Despite this, Miyata confirmed he does receive messages every now and then.
“Yeah, last year, they gave me advice, but it was not a lot because I was working with Toyota Gazoo Racing in Europe, but also, I drove the endurance race. You know, I was driving in Daytona and Le Mans and also European Le Mans series, and also F2 and hypercar races.
“Quite, very hard it was because I didn’t have any rest time and even I couldn’t meet them because I have every weekend I have a race. But, yeah, last year, yes. But this season, I didn’t meet them because different process this season. So, yeah, this season is just, sometimes I receive a message from them, but not a lot.”
