We will continue to take on the challenges of the Super Formula, the top formula in Japan. From 2023, we will aim to go for the top as ThreeBond Racing, with a new team and new machines.
In the past, the domestic top formula series altered its name several times according to changes in regulations. The first All-Japan Championship began in 1973 as the All-Japan F2000 Championship Series. At that time, the standard was set according to domestic regulations, so it did not comply with the F2 standard. However, in 1978, it officially became the All-Japan F2 Championship because FIAʼ s vehicle regulation was altered and the standard was unified. In 1988, the All-Japan F3000 Championship began in response to FIA abolishing F2 and changing to F3000. In 1996, the formula series adopted a Japanese original standard and was renamed to Japanese Championship Formula NIPPON. From 2013 to 2015, it was held under the name of Japanese Championship SUPER FORMULA, and from 2016 Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship respectively.
The engine currently used in the Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship is a 2,000cc displacement 4-cylinders turbocharger with direct injection, developed by TOYOTA and HONDA based on NRE (Nippon Race Engine) regulations settled originally in Japan. This engine is installed with a fuel flow restrictor that regulates the maximum value of instant flow. It thereby restricts the maximum fuel consumption to 95kg per hour in Suzuka and Fuji Series, and 90kg per hour in other series. It is a new generation racing engine which brings out the maximum performance with limited fuel, and thus pursues thermal efficiency. Currently, it is said to have a maximum output of more than 550 horsepower. Incidentally, an overtaking system (OTS) is installed in the machine, which increases the maximum flow of fuel by 5%, and increases the power by 20 to 30 horsepower. By using the OTS, overtaking during a race becomes easier, but it is only allowed to be used for a maximum of 100 seconds during the final tournament. Moreover, once it is used, the driver needs to wait another 100 seconds before using it again. Therefore, the use of the OTS reflects the strategy of a driver.
For the NRE (Nippon Race Engine), it adopts a chassis developed and manufactured by Dallara Automobili S.p.A. in Italy. SF14 had been used since 2014, in 2019, the SF19 was used, and in 2023, the SF23 with new bodywork on the SF19 was introduced. In addition, we have also introduced carbon-neutral racing tires developed by Yokohama Rubber that use renewable raw materials. The engine is an inline 4-cylinder direct-injection turbo and uses Toyota Motor/TRD's engine “TOYOTA/TR TRD01F” and Honda Motor/M-TEC's “HR-417E” . Both engines have almost the same output (approximately 550 horsepower), so there is no big difference in the performance of the car body. It is the top race in Japan where the winner is determined by the skill of the driver as well as the strategy and technical ability of the team.
| April 8- 9 |
Round1/ Round2 |
Fuji Speedway | DNF / 7th place |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 22- 23 |
Round3 | Suzuka Circuit | 10th place |
| May 20- 21 |
Round4 | AUTOPOLIS | 8th place |
| June 17- 18 |
Round5 | Sportsland SUGO | 16th place |
| July 15- 16 |
Round6 | Fuji Speedway | 16th place |
| August 19- 20 |
Round7 | Mobility Resort Motegi | 14th place |
| October 28- 29 |
Round8/ Round9 |
Suzuka Circuit | 9th place / DNF |
In 2023, ThreeBond Racing will return back to its team structure for the first time since the Japanese F3 Championship, and the team will be supervised by ThreeBond Co., Ltd. However, regarding the actual work, Ryo Michigami will continue to be responsible as the team director, taking on the task by using the advantage of his own experience as a driver. Also, Nirei Fukuzumi is appointed as the driver following the last season. In addition to winning the team's first points, which was achieved last season, we will build a system that can always be within the range to compete for the prize. In addition, Hitoshi Iyoki, who has been in charge of the Japanese F3 Championship, will continue to be appointed as chief engineer. Abe, who has been the director of the HFDP (HONDA Formula Dream Project) for many years, will be appointed as the team representative to lead the team. In addition, Tsukakoshi, who was a test driver for the new model SF23, is appointed as a driving advisor. We will further strengthen our team power and aim for the podium.
- Team name
- ThreeBond Racing
- Team director
- Ryo Michigami
- Chassis
- Dallara SF23
- Engine
- HONDA（HR-417E）
- Chief engineer
- Hitoshi Iyoki
- Team Representative
- Masakazu Abe
- Driver
- Nirei Fukuzumi
- Driving advisor
- Koudai Tsukakoshi
- Birthday
- January 24, 1997
- Height
- 166cm
- Blood
type - Type B
- From
- Tokushima Prefecture
- Hobby
- Listening to music
- 2022
-
Entry into the Japanese Super Formula Championship (ThreeBond Drago CORSE), 19th place in the series (2 titles)
Entry into SUPER GT (500 class) (ARTA), 12th place in the series
- 2021
-
Entry into the Japanese Super Formula Championship (DOCOMO TEAM DANDELION RACING), 2nd place in the series (2 titles)
Entry into SUPER GT (500 class) (ARTA), 2nd place in the series (2 titles)
- 2020
-
Entry into the Japanese Super Formula Championship (DOCOMO TEAM DANDELION RACING), 8th place in the series
Entry into SUPER GT (500 class) (ARTA), 5th place in the series
The engine currently used in the Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship is a 2,000cc displacement 4-cylinders turbocharger with direct injection, developed by TOYOTA and HONDA based on NRE (Nippon Race Engine) regulations settled originally in Japan. This engine is installed with a fuel flow restrictor that regulates the maximum value of instant flow. It thereby restricts the maximum fuel consumption to 95kg per hour in Suzuka and Fuji Series, and 90kg per hour in other series. It is a new generation racing engine which brings out the maximum performance with limited fuel, and thus pursues thermal efficiency. Currently, it is said to have a maximum output of more than 550 horsepower.
Incidentally, an overtaking system (OTS) is installed in the machine, which increases the maximum flow of fuel by 5%, and increases the power by 20 to 30 horsepower. By using the OTS, overtaking during a race becomes easier, but it is only allowed to be used for a maximum of 100 seconds during the final tournament. Moreover, once it is used, the driver needs to wait another 100 seconds before using it again. Therefore, the use of the OTS reflects the strategy of a driver.
F3 is a category to nurture young talents who aim to become top drivers in near future. At the same time, it is also an international category abide by the common global standard. The relationship between F3 and ThreeBond began in 2000 when ThreeBond Racing started entering into the Japanese Formula 3 Championship, by developing ThreeBond-Nissan Engine in collaboration with Tomei Engine and Umeda Tuning Shop, based on Nissan’s SR20DE engine for mass production.
The first year of ThreeBond Racing was in 2000, and the team appointed Takeshi Tsuchiya as their driver. After finishing its first year with the ranking of 9th place, the team welcomed Yuji Ide as the new driver, and then acquired the ranking of 5th place. After having Masaru Tomizawa as the driver in 2002, the team appointed the Italian driver Paolo Montin in 2003. This resulted in the team’s first awaited championship in Round 7 (Twin Ring Motegi) and later saw a great leap of retaining the championship in Round 8, as well as obtaining the driver ranking of No.2.
Moreover, in 2004, the team appointed Fabio Carbone and Masataka Yanagida and constructed a full-scale dual machine system. In 2005, the team won six championships in a year, with a strong combination of Naoki Yokomizo and Paolo Montin. Also, the team obtained the No.2 ranking of both the Team Category and Engine Tuner Category, which made their firm position as one of the top teams.
Since then, ThreeBond Racing appointed Marko Asmer and Hironobu Yasuda and fought through the fierce competition of the Japanese Formula 3 Championship. In 2010, the team appointed Yuhi Sekiguchi and acquired the No.2 driver ranking. In 2011, Hironobu Yasuda was reappointed, and competed for the championship until the last minute but was defeated by a narrow margin. However, the team acquired the long-awaited Team Championship for the first time.
Taking advantage of this victory, ThreeBond Racing decided to elevate its activity to Europe in 2012, in collaboration with the British team T-SPORT, renaming the new team as ThreeBond with T-Sport.
In 2012, the team appointed Nick McBride and obtained the ranking of 10th place. In 2013, although the team changed its driver from William Buller to Alexander Sims, it still obtained 5th place in the team ranking.
In 2014, there was a significant change in the engine regulation, such as the abolition of regulation based on mass-production engine. The team was severely influenced by this change and fought through difficult competition. However, the team made a steady progress in the F3 World Championship, by winning 3rd place with Nick Cassidy in 2014, and 4th place with Kenta Yamashita in 2016. After a total of five years of challenges in Europe, the team decided to return back to the Japanese Formula 3 Championship from 2017. In order to aim for the championship from the start, the team realized that an outstanding driver is indispensable. A thorough research was held on promising young drivers not only in Japan but also overseas. As a result, the team welcomed a promising young Spanish driver named Álex Palou Montalbo (20 years old then), who was said to be a second Fernando Alonso Díaz. Álex had entered into the Macao Grand-Prix at the age of sixteen, and already had two-years of experience in winning the GP3 that was mainly held in Europe. The team fought together with this young talent, and Álex successfully responded to expectations by winning three rounds in a season with great achievements such as winning a pole position from the very first round. In 2018, Ukyo Sasahara was appointed as a re-imported driver. Ukyo lost a very close game of winning the championship, but he successfully mounted the podium for eight times and won 3rd place in the series. In 2019, the team gathered its forces so as to fight through the season, with a dual machine system for the first time in the past 12 years.
