Ayumu Iwasa crowned Super Formula 2025 champion

It's a face that fans of Formula 1 are beginning to get to know each other. A protégé of the young pilots' program. Red Bull Since 2021, Ayumu Iwasa has appeared several times in free practice or in the garage of the two Austrian-based teams as a reserve driver.

After a stint in Formula 2 (4th in 2023), the Japanese driver returned to his native country to compete in the highly competitive Super Formula. His first year was one of learning (5th), the second one of confirmation: on Sunday, the Osaka native clinched the title in style by winning his second victory of the season.

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After an intense duel with his compatriot Ren Sato, Ayumu Iwasa managed to hold on to secure the 20 points needed for victory and deny Sho Tsuboi a second consecutive title. I was honestly very happy, but the last race was really difficult. Iwasa was breathing heavilySato (Ren) was catching up to me from behind, and in that situation where I had to both defend, fend off his attacks, and keep pushing, I was being told there were still several laps to go, but I was thinking, "It's not getting any shorter... it's endless." Even in that suffering, I was truly relieved to be able to win. Today, in both races, the pace was good, and the pit stops were absolutely perfect... It's a result we achieved because everything went perfectly, and that's what makes me happiest.

"I can honestly say that I am very happy," rejoices Hirokatsu Tanaka, the team manager of Team Mugen. Looking back on this week, I thought our chances of winning were very slim after yesterday's race, but the team and the drivers didn't give up and gave everything until the very end. Thanks to them, we won, we managed to turn things around, and we became champions. I'm absolutely thrilled. I still can't quite believe it. In conditions where winning was essential, where we absolutely had to become champions, everyone fulfilled their role perfectly, and I'm so happy we were able to achieve this result.

Now, the question arises of Ayumu Iwasa's future. After impressing in his native Japan, can the young man convince Red Bull to give him a chance in Formula 1, where his compatriot... Yuki tsunoda is struggling? The Japanese driver certainly seems better prepared than the young Arvid Lindblad, whose F2 season still leaves too many uncertainties.