Miyata Potential Stay in SUPER GT: The 24-year-old Japanese driver Miyata may race in SUPER GT despite his WEC concentration. This new development could alter Toyota’s racing strategy. Senior Toyota personnel and the TOM’S race team discussed the change, but Miyata says nothing is final. TOM’S, which has lost numerous important drivers in recent years, is pleased.
Miyata’s WEC-Super GT participation fell through after the 2024 SUPER GT calendar was released. Two dates conflicted with WEC races; therefore, he couldn’t ride both. Miyata was meant to prioritize WEC, possibly in its new LMGT3 class, as LMP2 racing won’t be possible after next year. Miyata’s recent comments suggest he may stay in SUPER GT, which would impact TOM’S team.
TOM’S lost Nick Cassidy, Ryo Hirakawa, and Sacha Fenestraz as drivers. If Miyata left, the team considered hiring a foreign driver, but Toyota may have been wary of pairing Sho Tsuboi, who was already on the squad, with a foreigner due to past mishaps. Miyata and Tsuboi had just started working well together, so his departure worries the squad.
Even if Miyata doesn’t compete in WEC, he must attend races that don’t conflict with SUPER GT. He may also try the GR010 HYBRID on Le Mans test day, which no longer conflicts with SUPER GT. Miyata might also enter the European Le Mans Series. Its 2024 itinerary is unknown, but it could provide him an opportunity to drive on European tracks without damaging his SUPER GT chances.
Three-time champion Yuji Tachikawa will quit Toyota’s GT500 team at the conclusion of the year, leaving at least one seat free. Sena Sakaguchi, a second-year GT500 driver with Racing Project Bandoh, is the most likely candidate. Sakaguchi competes Super Formula with Cerumo/Inging. Tachikawa and Hiroaki Ishiura are his pals.
Racing Project Bandoh didn’t want to let Sakaguchi go last year, but they may after he helped the team win its first race in six years. GT500 may also consider Kazuto Kotaka and Hibiki Taira. Both are promising in other races. Miyata’s likely stay in SUPER GT could impact Toyota’s racing and team structure. This would benefit TOMS but complicate Toyota’s driving condition. With several drivers leaving, joining, or possibly moving teams, the 2024 racing season is likely to be a turning point for Toyota.
