Toyota Gazoo Racing (TGR) has confirmed its driver line-up for 2026, continuing its long-standing support of emerging motorsport talent. Through the TGR Driver Challenge Program (TGR-DC), the organisation aims to provide drivers with the tools and opportunities to excel in the most competitive racing series around the world. The programme will see a diverse group of young drivers supported across various prestigious championships, including Formula 2, Formula 3, Formula Regional, and the Japanese Super Formula Championship.
Kalle Rovanperä: Expanding horizons in single-seaters
Kalle Rovanperä, the Finnish rally sensation, will continue to develop his motorsport career in 2026. He will race in the Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship with KCMG and the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy with Hitech. After a successful rally career, Rovanperä now focuses on open-wheel racing, and these two championships will allow him to gain valuable experience at a high level. His involvement in both series will serve as an excellent stepping stone towards further achievements in motorsport.
Ritomo Miyata: A switch to Hitech for 2026 F2
Ritomo Miyata, after competing in Formula 2 with Rodin Motorsport in 2024, where he finished 19th with 31 points, and ART Grand Prix in 2025, where he placed 17th with 30 points, will join Hitech for the 2026 season. Thus, with experience in two seasons of Formula 2, Miyata is poised to build on his previous performances and take on new challenges with one of the most competitive teams in the championship.
Jin Nakamura: A busy year ahead in F3 and CTFROT
Jin Nakamura will have a packed schedule in 2026. He will compete in the FIA Formula 3 Championship with Hitech, while also racing in the Castrol Toyota Formula Regional Oceania Trophy with the same team. Therefore, this dual commitment will allow Nakamura to gain crucial experience in different levels of open-wheel racing, providing him with the chance to prove his versatility across two competitive platforms.
Yuki Sano: Competing across Europe and the Middle East
Yuki Sano will race in both the Formula Regional European Championship (FREC) and the Formula Regional Middle East Championship (FRMEC) in 2026. Competing with R-ace GP, Sano will experience two of the most competitive regions in the world of single-seater racing. Thus, the opportunity to race across different continents will be crucial for Sano’s development, and the experience gained from these diverse series will help him become a more well-rounded driver.
Rikuto Kobayashi and Charlie Wurz: Super Formula and Super GT
Rikuto Kobayashi and Charlie Wurz will both compete in the Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship in 2026. Kobayashi will join KDDI TGMGP TGR-DC, while Wurz will race for TEAM GOH. In addition to their commitments in Super Formula, Kobayashi will race in SUPER GT (GT500) with TGR TEAM KeePer CERUMO, while Wurz will join apr in SUPER GT (GT300). These multi-category commitments will give both drivers a unique opportunity to gain experience in two of Japan’s most prestigious racing series.
Kiyoshi Umegaki and Tokiya Suzuki: Rising stars in Super Formula Lights
Kiyoshi Umegaki and Tokiya Suzuki will both compete in the Japanese Super Formula Lights Championship in 2026 with TOM’S. This series serves as a stepping stone to Japan’s top open-wheel category, Super Formula, and will allow both drivers to showcase their skills. Umegaki will also race in SUPER GT (GT300) with CARGUY MKS RACING, while Suzuki’s team in the GT300 category is yet to be confirmed. Their dual commitments will offer them invaluable experience in both single-seaters and GT racing.
Oscar Wurz: Continuing the family legacy
Oscar Wurz, the younger brother of Charlie Wurz, will also race in the Japanese Super Formula Lights Championship with TOM’S in 2026. As a promising young talent, Oscar will continue his development in one of Japan’s premier open-wheel series. Therefore, his involvement in Super Formula Lights will provide a strong foundation for future success in Japan’s top racing series, Super Formula.
TGR-DC Racing School: Developing the next generation
In addition to supporting established drivers, TGR will continue to develop the next generation of motorsport talent through the TGR-DC Racing School. The programme, which focuses on the Japanese FIA-F4 Championship, is designed to provide young drivers with the training and support they need to succeed in the highly competitive world of motorsport. TGR aims to identify outstanding talents through the selection trials and offer them the opportunity to race in higher-tier categories in the future.
TGR will announce the selection trials for the 2026 TGR-DC Racing School later, with several young Japanese drivers already confirmed for the programme. These drivers include Yuzuki Miura, Masana Muto, Masaki Hamabe, Tomoki Terashima, Buntaro Igarashi, and Ryo Sakai. Through the TGR-DC Racing School, these promising drivers will receive expert guidance and the opportunity to develop their skills in a competitive environment. This initiative will ensure a continual influx of new talent into Japan’s motorsport scene, ready to make their mark on the global stage.
Looking ahead to 2026: A year of growth and opportunity
Looking ahead to 2026, TGR’s commitment to driver development shows no signs of slowing down. With a diverse and talented group of drivers across multiple championships, TGR is ensuring its presence is felt in the most competitive series in motorsport. From Formula 2 to Formula 3 and Super Formula, TGR’s drivers will have the support and resources needed to succeed on the world stage.
Through the TGR-DC Racing School, the programme is creating a pipeline of future talent ready to step up to higher levels of competition. As the 2026 season progresses, TGR will continue to provide its drivers with the tools, training, and experience required to become successful in the motorsport world.
