Haas have conducted a two-day testing session at Fuji Speedway in Japan, giving two Japanese drivers the opportunity to drive the VF-23 Formula 1 car. The test, part of the team's technical partnership with Toyota's Gazoo Racing arm, allowed reigning Super Formula champion Sho Tsuboi to experience F1 machinery for the first time.
On the first day, double World Endurance Championship winner Ryo Hirakawa, who also serves as Haas reserve driver, took the wheel in front of an invited crowd. Tsuboi, 30, who won the Super Formula title last year and competes in GT racing, drove on the second day in what Toyota Gazoo Racing's global motorsport director Masaya Kaji described as an audition.
Kaji emphasised that the test was not merely a reward for Tsuboi's championship success. "What happens next depends entirely on Tsuboi's performance and his communication with the team," he said. "This is an audition or a selection test, not just because of his experience. We want to assess his real performance. He has to work hard and communicate in English."
The test also provided valuable experience for Toyota engineers and mechanics present at the circuit. Kaji added: "Mechanics and engineers from Toyota Motor Corporation will be present, making this an invaluable opportunity for them as well. Experiencing first-hand the technologies and skills required on the world's highest stage, F1, will certainly be an important experience for their growth."
Haas have previously run other Toyota-affiliated drivers, including former F1 driver Kamui Kobayashi and Formula 2 driver Ritomo Miyata, in similar TPC outings. However, despite Tsuboi's potential, a path to a 2026 race seat appears blocked, as Haas have already signed Esteban Ocon and Oliver Bearman for next season.
