On December 10, 2025, at the Suzuka Circuit in Mie Prefecture, the Japan Race Promotion (JRP) hosted the 'SUPER FORMULA AWARDS - Partner Thanks Day,' unveiling the winners of the 2025 IIJ Group SFgo AWARD, a prestigious recognition in the Japanese motorsport scene. This event showcased top performers in various categories of the SUPER FORMULA, a premier single-seater racing series in Japan.
One of the highlights of the evening was the announcement of the most beloved driver category, known as the 'Oshi Driver Section,' which was supported by IIJ. After an impressive performance, Tomoki Nojiri, who drives for car number 16, claimed the top spot as the fan-favorite driver, taking home a prize of 1 million yen. This marks his second consecutive win in this particular category after a two-year hiatus. His participation in SUPER FORMULA dates back to 2014, and he expressed immense gratitude towards his supporters and fans. Nojiri stated, 'I'm extremely happy. I have been competing in SUPER FORMULA since 2014 and I believe it’s thanks to the support from many people and the encouragement from fans. Although I sadly did not clinch the championship this time, I will work hard next year to take the title, and I appreciate all your continued support.'
Next, the top team award was presented to TEAM MUGEN, who triumphed in the 'Favorite Team Section,' sponsored by ABEMA. This victory extends their winning streak as they achieve the honor for the third consecutive year, alongside an award of 1 million yen. Team director Hirokatsu Tanaka expressed his appreciation, saying, 'Being recognized in this manner makes me truly feel the support from a considerable number of fans. Thank you very much. TEAM MUGEN will continue striving to be a cool, strong, and fast team. We will work hard to further elevate SUPER FORMULA, and I hope to earn this honor again next year with your support.'
The pit crew, often unsung heroes in the racing world, received their first-ever award in the 'Pit Crew Section,' sponsored by Yokohama Rubber. VANTELIN TEAM TOM'S won the category, which focused on the quickest tire change times throughout the season. Their technical director, Jun Yamada, was delighted to receive the award, stating, 'Thank you for this wonderful award. While drivers always get the spotlight, it’s rare for mechanics to shine. It’s a great honor to receive such an award amidst these circumstances. This year, we managed a tire change in 5.243 seconds, and next year, we aim to break into the 4-second range, so please keep supporting us.'
The IIJ Group SFgo AWARD initiative commenced in the 2023 season to enhance the motorsport industry, looking toward future entertainment growth. It leverages fan registration information gathered through the official SUPER FORMULA app, 'SFgo,' along with telemetry data transmitted from the vehicles to offer quantifiable and fair accolades to drivers and team staff in various categories.
With the collaboration of IIJ Group and SUPER FORMULA NEXT50 partner ABEMA, along with Yokohama Rubber, the awards have established themselves as a source of recognition, reflecting the participants’ hard work and dedication.
These awards serve as a platform not just for celebration, but also to inspire and motivate everyone involved in the motorsport community, reinforcing the importance of teamwork and fan engagement in the journey of these racing teams and drivers. As fans look forward to another thrilling season, the 2025 SUPER FORMULA promises to bring more excitement and rivalry on the track.
For more news about the awards and upcoming races, visit the official SUPER FORMULA site.