Super Formula says it may use its current Dallara SF23 chassis beyond the end of 2027, as the Japanese series begins to consider what a next-generation car could look like.
Having stated last year the current car would be used through 2027, JRP president Yoshihisa Ueno didn’t commit to introducing a new car in 2028 when asked about the timeframe for the arrival of the SF23’s successor.
Giving an update on when a new car could replace the SF23, Ueno stated that there is a “possibility” of extending the current machine’s lifespan further.
“It is certain we will continue running the SF23 at least until the end of 2027,” Ueno told Autosport. “But we haven’t reached any decision regarding 2028 and beyond.
“At the moment we are still just at the concept stage. We are considering what a next-generation car would need to be like to satisfy the expectations of our fans.
“We have to consider speed, design, the car’s raceability. Sound is important too. We don’t want the costs to increase dramatically either.
“We are looking at it from many angles, and now we are in the process of gathering feedback from our stakeholders and establishing the direction we want to go in.”
Ayumu Iwasa, TEAM MUGEN
Photo by: Masahide Kamio
Dallara has served as Super Formula’s sole chassis supplier since 2014, but Ueno left open the possibility of a different firm being called upon to provide the SF23’s replacement.
“The market will decide,” he said. “It just so happens we are using Dallara at the moment, but what we do next also partly depends on the wishes of the teams and fans.”
“No hurry” to establish international race after Inje cancellation
Addressing next year’s Super Formula calendar, Ueno said the series is in “no hurry” to establish an international race after efforts to hold a race in South Korea this year failed.
The 2025 calendar featured a date at Inje Speedium, located two hours outside of Seoul, when it was first revealed, but an agreement could not be reached with the local organiser before the deadline, meaning the race was scratched from the schedule.
Next year’s provisional schedule features no overseas dates, despite JRP staff having visited circuits such as Mandalika in Indonesia and Bangsaen in Thailand.
“Not only with South Korea, but discussions with several different countries are continuing,” said Ueno, when asked about the possibility of an overseas race being held in 2027.
Tomoki Nojiri, TEAM MUGEN
Photo by: Masahide Kamio
“It’s not an easy thing to establish a race overseas. The strain on the resources of the teams has to be considered, and forming the [full] schedule, so many points have to be cleared.
“We are not in a particular hurry to make an overseas race happen. We want to focus on creating the right environment for it to happen.”
The 2026 schedule still features several changes compared to this year’s, most notably the opening round moving from Suzuka to Motegi for the first time since 2020.
Ueno outlined a desire to return to Suzuka for the 2027 curtain-raiser after the change of date for Formula 1’s visit to the track made it impossible for Super Formula to keep its early March slot for next year due to the long lead time required to prepare the venue.
He also stated that Super Formula is no longer pursuing the idea of holding a F1 support race at the venue, after talks to add such an event to the 2024 calendar came to nothing.
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– The Autosport.com Team
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