Kota Tsuchihashi wins 2025 HRS Formula Scholarship

Honda Racing School Suzuka ^*1 (hereafter HRS) held its “Final Scholarship Selection” on October 8, 2025, where Kota Tsuchihashi (18, from Hyogo Prefecture) was selected as the 2025 HRS Formula Scholarship recipient.

After joining the school in March, eight drivers completed the Advanced Class curriculum. Among them, three were selected in August as scholarship finalists. Following two rounds of selection tests, Tsuchihashi emerged as the top performer.

Tsuchihashi will join Honda’s driver development program, the Honda Formula Dream Project (HFDP) and is set to compete in junior formula categories from the 2026 season.

Honda will continue to strengthen its driver development programs to train future talent who will compete at the top levels of global motorsport, including FIA ^*2 Formula One Championship.

^{*1 A racing driver and rider development school jointly operated by Honda Racing Corporation and Honda Mobilityland Corporation.}  

^{*2 FIA: Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile}

2025 HRS Scholarship Recipient  

Kota Tsuchihashi (18, from Hyogo Prefecture)

Main Achievements

2023  

– GPR All Japan Karting Championship OK Class Round 1: 3rd (Super Pole Winner)  

2024  

– GPR All Japan Karting Championship OK Class Round 5: 5th (Super Pole Winner)  

– GPR All Japan Karting Championship OK Class Round 6: Winner (Selected as Japan representative for FIA Motorsport Games)  

– Kart Race in Suzuka, Senior MAX Class: 4th overall in season ranking (best finish: 2nd)

Kota Tsuchihashi  

“On the final day, there were many sessions that made me rethink how to manage the tyres, but I’m glad I never gave up and kept pushing until the end. I have a dream of racing overseas and will continue to work hard to become a driver capable of winning the F1 championship.”

Takuma Sato, HRS Principal  

“The 2025 HRS Formula Class curriculum has now concluded. This year’s group was younger on average, and we witnessed their significant growth throughout the program. Tsuchihashi, who earned the scholarship, showed impressive progress and even matched the lap times of our professional instructor drivers toward the end of the course. I have great expectations for his future. HRS will continue to provide an environment for young drivers to develop, and I look forward to meeting the next generation who will shape the future of motorsport.”