The all-electrical open-wheel racing series Formula E has partnered with Fast and Furious star Sung Kang for its first race in Tokyo
The 2006 release of “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift” ignited global interest in Japanese car culture and drifting, perfectly complementing the country’s existing car obsession. However, legal street racing has remained elusive in the capital city – until this past weekend’s historic Formula E Tokyo ePrix.
Sung Kang, who portrayed Han in “Tokyo Drift” blurred the lines between fiction and reality at the Formula E race. He joined a growing list of celebrities to pilot a current-generation car, participating in a demonstration run before the main event. “I got to drive the GEN3 car, even drifted a bit at the start!” Kang joked, referencing his early spin. “So much torque, so much power. It’s instant, a lot of power for someone who isn’t a professional driver. Almost lost my lunch, but incredibly exciting and fun.”
Formula E‘s Tokyo debut finally delivered a professional street race to the city, fulfilling a long-held dream for many – some even believing it had already happened. Kang readily endorsed the event. “Formula E in Tokyo is a perfect fit,” he declared. “A cutting-edge city like Tokyo paired with a cutting-edge motorsport like Formula E – it’s ideal. The Japanese people have a deep love for motorsport, and what better city to host a Formula E event than Tokyo? It was simply fantastic.” The Japanese Formula 1 Grand Prix is coming this week too.
Maximilian Günther won for Maserati at the Tokyo ePrix
Günther ended up winning in a dramatic Tokyo ePrix, his fifth Formula E victory and second for Maserati. Starting from pole, Nissan’s Rowland secured second on home soil. Dennis completed the podium after a strategic battle with da Costa and Wehrlein. The race saw Günther overtake Rowland, while Mortara lost ground after activating attack mode. Günther managed the lead despite a late challenge from Rowland, with Dennis capitalizing on a fight for second to claim third. This enthralling race produced five different winners from five teams in the first five World Championship events.
“What a day! Winning in Tokyo in the first Formula E race on Japanese soil is very exciting and we are happy that Maserati has signed its name in the modern history of the series in a new country.” Giovanni Sgro, head of Maserati Corse, was overjoyed. The victory was important,
Not only on the sporting level but also on the commercial level, it is not in vain that Maserati is preparing to launch electric models and Japan is a market with great potential for them.
Maximilian Günther, the winning driver, was even more enthusiastic. “It has been an incredible weekend! We were among the leaders all the time. In the top three in the sessions, we almost got pole… but getting the win makes it something very special. It’s incredible to win the first Formula E race in Tokyo and I’m proud. “We need to enjoy this moment.”
Yuki Tsunoda came to the track and greeted his ex-teammate Nyck de Vries
Yuki Tsunoda has set foot in a Formula E paddock for the first time in Tokyo. The Japanese has been one of the luxury guests for this very special electric racing weekend. He has tested the Gen3 in the simulator and has been surprised by both the acceleration and the power of the car.
At 24 years old, Tsunoda continues to accumulate experiences and the most recent has been Formula E. A week before his home race in Formula 1, the Japanese GP, he has gone through the first ePrix of the category in his country, on the street circuit of Tokyo. However, his visit was not limited to walking through the paddock, he also tested the Gen3 in the simulator.
Tsunoda is the only Japanese representative in the only two FIA single-seater World Championships such as Formula 1 and Formula E. He is facing his fourth season in the Great Circus, again with the Faenza structure, currently called RB. Nonetheless, with his future for 2025 still up in the air, it never hurts to ‘taste’ new categories.
He is not the only F1 driver that talked about the category. In the same way, Felipe Massa considers it more interesting to watch a Formula E race than a Formula 1 race today. The Brazilian, one of the few drivers who knows what it is like to race in both World Championships, opts for the tight battles for victory and the very close competition in the electric category.
After five races the standings are extremely close in Formula E
Formula E has crowned 5 different winners in its 5 first races of the season. The title battle is extremely close and all of them could end up winning the title. Pascal Wehrlein with TAG Heuer Porsche is the current championship leader.
Japan is set for its second consecutive weekend of Formula racing after the ePrix. In the event that the Japanese Formula 1 Grand Prix is coming this weekend. Japanese fans are among some of the most passionate in motorsports and everything is ready at the track of Suzuka. Third consecutive week for open-wheel single-seaters including the Indycar Thermal Club race.
Guillermo Lorenzo Manzano
