Chances for drivers to win both the Super Formula and Super GT titles in a single season are extremely rare. That is why the exclusive club of ‘double champions’ numbered only four drivers until they were joined by a new member in 2023: Ritomo Miyata.
It has been quite the year for Miyata, who joins Pedro de la Rosa, Satoshi Motoyama, Richard Lyons and Naoki Yamamoto in conquering both categories in the same year, becoming by far the youngest to do so at the age of 24. Not only that, but Miyata is also the first factory Toyota driver to conquer the two top categories in Japanese motorsport (de la Rosa’s GT500 title in 1997 also came at the wheel of a TOM’S-run Supra, but Formula Nippon, as it was known, was a one-make category back then).
"Now I've become champion in all the major categories in Japan, including F4, F3 [Super Formula Lights], Super Formula and now GT500, so now I can go and compete on the world stage with no reservations,” said Miyata in a clear nod to his 2024 plans, as he prepares to take on the World Endurance Championship with the ASP Lexus LMGT3 team in 2024.
And it looks like Miyata, who earlier this year was officially unveiled as a member of Toyota's WEC Challenge scheme to nurture drivers for the world stage, has every chance of going on to become a member of the Japanese manufacturer’s Hypercar roster in the coming seasons if he can keep up the startling rate of progression he has demonstrated over the past few seasons.
While Miyata was superb in Super GT, it’s probably his Super Formula title that will linger in the memory most of all from the 2023 season. And what makes that achievement all the more remarkable is the fact that he went into his third season representing the flagship TOM’S squad in the single-seater series with just two third-place finishes on his CV.
Initially, it looked like 2023 might be more of the same for Miyata. He qualified second for both of the opening races at Fuji, only to slip back to fourth and fifth in the two races as the wins were split by his eventual title rivals, Mugen pair Liam Lawson and Tomoki Nojiri. But after scoring his first win in the next round at Suzuka, Miyata looked like a changed man.
Source: Autosport