Super Formula 2027 car
Super Formula says it could use its current Dallara SF23 chassis before the end of 2027, as the Japanese series begins to consider what the next-generation car could look like.
While last year it was said the current car would be used until 2027, JRP president Yoshihisa Ueno would not commit to introducing a new car in 2028 when asked about the timeframe for the arrival of the SF23 successor.
Giving an update on when a new car might replace the SF23, Ueno said there was a “potential” to further extend the lifespan of the current machine.
“It is certain that we will continue to run the SF23 until at least the end of 2027,” Ueno told Autosport. “But we have not reached any decision regarding 2028 and beyond.
“At the moment we are still at the concept stage. We are considering what the next generation car should be like to meet the expectations of our fans.
We have to consider the speed, the design, the racing ability of the car. The sound is also important. We don’t want the cost to increase dramatically.
“We are looking at this from multiple angles, and now we are in the process of gathering feedback from our stakeholders and establishing the direction we want to go.”
Ayumu Iwasa, Team Mugen
Photo by: Masahide Kamio
Dallara has served as the super formula’s sole chassis supplier since 2014, but Ueno left open the possibility of calling on a different firm to provide a replacement for the SF23.
“The market will decide,” he said. “It happens that we are using Dallara at the moment, but what we do next also partly depends on the wishes of the teams and the fans.”
“No rush” to set up international races after Inje cancellation.
Addressing next year’s Super Formula calendar, Ueno said the series is in “no rush” to establish an international race after efforts to hold a race in South Korea failed this year.
The 2025 calendar featured a date at Inje Speedium, located two hours from Seoul, when it was first revealed, but an agreement could not be reached with the local organizer before the deadline, meaning the race was removed from the programme.
Next year’s provisional schedule does not include any overseas dates.Despite this, JRP staff have visited circuits such as Mandalika in Indonesia and Bangsaen in Thailand.
Asked about the possibility of holding an overseas race in 2027, Ueno said, “Discussions are ongoing, not only with South Korea, but with many different countries.
Tomoki Nojiri, Team Mugen
Photo by: Masahide Kamio
“Setting up races overseas is not an easy thing. The pressure on the teams’ resources has to be considered, and when making a (full) schedule, many points have to be cleared.
“We are in no particular hurry to hold an overseas race. We want to focus on creating the right environment to hold it.
“The 2026 schedule still includes several changes compared to this year, notably the opening round moving from Suzuka to Motegi for the first time since 2020.
Ueno expressed his desire to return to Suzuka for the 2027 inaugural event after a change in the date of Formula 1’s visit to the track made it impossible for Super Formula to retain the March start slot for next year due to the long time required to prepare the venue.
He also said that Super Formula is no longer considering the idea of holding an F1 support race at the venue, as talks to add such an event to the 2024 calendar remained inconclusive.
