TGR Haas Confirms Two Japanese Drivers for Fuji TPC Event
TGR Haas F1 Team has confirmed that Sho Tsuboi and Nirei Fukuzumi will drive at its Testing of Previous Cars event at Fuji Speedway on July 28-29, 2026. Tsuboi makes his second TPC appearance at the circuit; Fukuzumi will drive a Formula 1 car for the first time. Both run under the TGR Haas Driver Development Programme.
TGR Haas locks in Tsuboi and Fukuzumi for second Fuji fan event
TGR Haas F1 Team has confirmed that national racing stars Sho Tsuboi and Nirei Fukuzumi will take part in the team's upcoming TPC (Testing of Previous Cars) event at Fuji Speedway on July 28-29. [1] Following the success of last year's event, TGR Haas F1 Team will once again bring Formula 1 closer to fans in Japan through a special two-day ticketed experience, offering unprecedented access to the team and exclusive off-track activities. [1]
Tsuboi returns; Fukuzumi gets his first F1 run
The event marks Tsuboi's second appearance running with TGR Haas F1 Team at Fuji; for Fukuzumi, it will mark the very first time the Super Formula driver gets behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car, an opportunity made possible thanks to the TGR Haas Driver Development Program. [1]
Tsuboi, the 2024 Super Formula Championship and four-time Super GT GT500 Champion (2021, 2023, 2024, 2025), has established himself as one of Japan's leading racers. [1] Fukuzumi came through GP3 (third in 2017) and then F2 (2018) before distinguishing himself in Japan in Super Formula and Super GT; his recent Super Formula victory at Suzuka and the commitment of his NTT Docomo Business Rookie team alongside TGR Haas this season paved the way for this opportunity. [1]
Nakajima on hand as programme mentor
Former Formula 1 driver and three-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Kazuki Nakajima, Vice Chairman of TOYOTA RACING GmbH, will be present throughout the event; as a key figure in the TGR Haas Driver Development Program, Nakajima will provide advice and support to the drivers at Fuji and will also participate in fan meet-and-greet opportunities, autograph sessions, and stage appearances alongside Tsuboi and Fukuzumi. [1]
Circuit and programme background
The Toyota-owned Fuji Speedway is a 4.563 km (2.835-mile) 17-turn FIA Grade 1 licensed circuit, which last hosted the Japanese Grand Prix back in 2008. [1] Under the 2026 FIA Sporting Regulations, a Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) is defined as all circuit driving conducted by F1 teams using older cars outside of official races. [2] From 2026, the TPC programme is officially known as the TGR Haas Driver Development Program, an outgrowth of the multi-year technical partnership between Haas F1 Team and Toyota Gazoo Racing that began in October 2024. [4]
:::analysis The 2026 edition of the Fuji TPC is a logical step forward from the 2025 template. Last year the event paired reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa with Tsuboi in his F1 debut; this year Hirakawa's slot is effectively taken by Fukuzumi, elevating the developmental scope of the programme. Fukuzumi's recent Super Formula win at Suzuka and his move to the Rookie Racing Toyota squad make him a credible, high-profile candidate for further TPC mileage. That both drivers are active Super Formula and Super GT competitors, rather than young single-seater prospects, underlines how TGR is using the Haas alliance to build a broader pipeline of experienced Japanese talent with F1 exposure. The public, ticketed format also serves a commercial function, keeping Haas and Toyota visible to Japanese motorsport fans between grands prix. :::
Related reading
- [1]Sho Tsuboi and Nirei Fukuzumi to drive at Fuji Speedway TPC Event (haasf1team). Accessed 2026-06-26.
- [2]TGR Haas F1 Team 2026 Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) Event (fujispeedway). Accessed 2026-06-26.
- [3]Nirei Fukuzumi's Haas F1 chance sets up mouthwatering Fuji match-up (japanracinginsider). Accessed 2026-06-26.
- [4]TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Set for Title Partnership with Haas F1 Team in 2026 (haasf1team). Accessed 2026-06-26.