Champion Sho Tsuboi Urges Revamp of Super Formula Engine Rules Amid Toyota-Honda Power Gap

Champion Sho Tsuboi has urged a revision of Super Formula’s engine regulations, citing an expanding performance disparity between Toyota and Honda.

The 2024 champion, competing for the Toyota‑powered TOM’S squad, stated after this month’s Sugo event that series promoter JRP must intervene to rectify the perceived power advantage held by Honda entries.

Since the previous season, Honda squads have consistently dominated qualifying, securing six of eight pole positions this year and achieving five instances where they occupied the top three grid spots.

Although Sacha Fenestraz and Nirei Fukuzumi have secured victories with Toyota power in 2026, Fukuzumi’s sole win at Suzuka came after a direct battle with a Honda, and his triumph at Sugo was enabled solely by a fortunate safety‑car period.

Tsuboi, who placed seventh in that race, argues that Toyota teams and drivers now have virtually no chance of competing on equal footing with Honda competitors.

“It feels tougher than ever since last year, and the gap to Honda has widened even further this season,” Tsuboi told Motorsport.com.

“We have essentially created our own ‘Toyota championship,’ making it impossible to genuinely contest Honda drivers. Even with the overtaking system, we were unable to overtake at Sugo.”

“Engine development is frozen by regulation, so theoretically the gap should remain unchanged. I’m unsure whether Honda has accelerated or Toyota has slowed, but drivers can clearly sense that the gap has grown.”

“Typically, the summer gap is small enough to be offset by other factors, with winter making it tougher. This year, the summer gap is already severe, and I can’t fathom how it will worsen in the colder months.”

“JRP clearly understands this issue and must act promptly to give drivers a fair, level playing field.”

Toyota drivers are racing in their own championship this year, according to Tsuboi

Photo by: Masahide Kamio

Super Formula employs a 2.0‑liter turbocharged engine formula introduced in 2014; Toyota has not launched a new powerplant since the TRD 01F (formerly Biz 01F) in 2019, whereas Honda’s Mugen‑tuned HR-417E debuted in 2017.

Tsuboi further recommended that the championship adopt defined development cycles, noting he would accept a Honda advantage if the rules permitted periodic engine upgrades.

“I believe a three‑ or four‑year cycle, during which engine updates are introduced only once, would be ideal,” he added.

“While Toyota has previously held the advantage, I think we need clearly defined rule cycles lasting three to four years.”

“I accept that the Toyota powerplant trails Honda’s, and if the disparity remains static, that’s understandable; however, I cannot tolerate a widening gap when development is prohibited.”

“If Toyota led for three years and then Honda led, the outcome would reflect each manufacturer’s development capability, and any resulting gaps would be acceptable.”

“The sole alternative would be a single, identical engine for all; however, adhering to the current regulations under these circumstances is, in my view, nonsensical.”

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