Nick Cassidy testing in Japan
© Sho Tamura/Red Bull Content Pool
Junior Formula Series
Nick Cassidy and Pierre Gasly talk Super Formula culture
Super Formula offers a super-competitive route to Formula One, but what’s it actually like competing in the Japanese championship? Pierre Gasly and Nick Cassidy tell all.
Written by Phil Barker
4 min readPublished on
Japan is a country firmly entrenched in motorsports history, whether it’s creating some of the most impressive racing engines – including bike and F1 engines capable of screaming beyond 20,000rpm – or hosting incredible races at iconic tracks like Suzuka or the Twin Ring Motegi. It’s a country that also has its own racing series in the form of Super Formula, but getting to grips with this Japanese racing championship is a challenge like no other.
Last year’s Super Formula champion Nick Cassidy and Scuderia AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly both know a thing or two about life in Super Formula, and have been chatting to us about what it takes to come out on top in Japan.

Life in a different country

“The biggest differences for me are the rules, and understanding what’s important with racing here,” Cassidy tells us. “I find the rules aren’t as clear as in Europe, so you need to be careful with some things.”
For Gasly, the language barrier proved the biggest issue, with the Frenchman adding: “The most challenging thing is to understand Japanese, I would say.”
It’s a sentiment backed by Cassidy, who continues: “Yes, it certainly takes a little longer to communicate effectively. I’m lucky I have now spent five years in Japan though, and every year my understanding on how to communicate is getting better.”
Drivers also face big changes when it comes to the fans, with partisan crowds that tend to favour local talent.
“I think the fans in Japan are certainly unique,” says Cassidy. “Of course these fans have a general passion for motorsports, so you will also see them supporting the Japanese Grand Prix. They support their local drivers a lot and want them to perform strongly on the world stage, which I respect.”

Tough racing

According to Cassidy, the competition in Super Formula is extremely close: “Quite often you’ll see all the cars from the same manufacturer with very close lap times. It’s hard to score points as there is limited practice, and you need to do the perfect qualifying and race to make the most of your opportunities.”
Getting to know the tracks is also tricky, Gasly explains: “As a European going there you don’t know the tracks, and they’re really tough ones, really technical. You have a very short time to learn them. To be fair I love them all – they’re really different to Europe, a lot less run-off areas, so you’re straight in the gravel or straight in the barrier.”
Pierre Gasly driving in Super Formula
Pierre Gasly© Dutch Photo Agency/Red Bull Content Pool
“I think the racing is tough,” Cassidy agrees. “Tough because there are only seven races a season, so every qualifying lap and race performance needs to be perfect. In Europe if the championship is long, drivers push more and can afford to have a couple of mistakes if it means they also win. In Japan that’s a little different due to a shorter season and only a single race per weekend.”
They may be challenging, but Gasly definitely appreciates the circuits on offer in Japan, with the Frenchman adding: “I really like Autopolis, and Montegi as well. Actually, all of them are really cool!”

A special atmosphere

That’s not to say it’s all hard work, and a support network can make a huge difference for drivers heading over to Japan.
“When I joined Super Formula, so many people started to support me, including Red Bull,” Gasly explains. “There was a great atmosphere, and it was the first time I had such support. I have really good memories of Japan.”
“It’s not easy, and I’m sure new drivers won’t find it as easy as they’d first imagine,” says Cassidy. “But I would say to such drivers, come here with no expectations and lots of respect.”
For those willing to work at it then, Super Formula offers a life that’s well worth embracing. “It’s a great series,” Gasly concludes. “I loved it in Japan – a different culture, and a different way of working, but it was a good experience.”