Kota Tsuchihashi Profile

Tsuchihashi graduated top of his class from the Honda Racing School Suzuka (HRS) in 2025, earning a scholarship. From 2026, he joined Honda’s driver development programme, the Honda Formula Dream Project (HFDP), and is competing in the French F4 Championship.

French F4

Organised by the FFSA (French Motorsport Federation) Academy, the French F4 Championship has produced numerous top drivers, including Pierre Gasly and Isack Hadjar. Ayumu Iwasa claimed the title in 2020, followed by Taito Kato in 2024.

The 2026 French F4 Championship features six rounds and 18 races, starting at Nogaro and concluding at Paul Ricard. Each round includes three races with a unique grid format: Race 1 is set by qualifying times, Race 2 uses a reverse grid for the top 10, and Race 3 is based on each driver’s second-fastest qualifying time.

Qualifying

A total of 32 cars lined up for the event, with young drivers from 14 countries, including 10 female drivers. Held over the Easter weekend, the race attracted several thousand spectators and enjoyed strong popularity.

Official qualifying took place in fine conditions with temperatures exceeding 20°C. Tsuchihashi, driving the #50 car, set a 1:26.466 time on lap six and followed with a 1:26.477 time on lap nine after an interval, showing consistent pace with two laps in the 1:26 range. A red flag interruption prevented further improvements, but he secured P6, 0.368 seconds off the top, and P5 with his second-best time—both strong grid positions.

©KSP Reportages