Reigning Japanese Super Formula champion Sho Tsuboi is set for another Formula 1 outing for Haas, in a TPC test at Silverstone.
The Japanese driver appears set to defend his title in 2025, currently leading the Drivers’ Championship by 8 points with a handful of races remaining.
Tsuboi also races in the Super GT championship alongside his single-seater career, where he is a three-time champion and currently leads the 2025 season.
Previously, he has claimed the Japanese Formula 3 and F4 titles.
Tsuboi previously tested a Haas VF-23 around Fuji Speedway in August, marking his first step into Grand Prix machinery.
The 30-year-old set a best lap that fell less than two tenths of a second behind the 2008 track record of Felipe Massa, earning praise from his team in the process.
Speaking to Motorsport.com, Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu hopes Tsuboi will carry his form through to the test at Silverstone, a track he has never previously driven.
“I think the real test for him will be stepping outside of the Japanese environment he is familiar with and seeing how quickly he can adapt to a track he has no experience of,” he said.
“At this stage I would say it is going well. He has driven hundreds of laps at Fuji, but driving the F1 car he said he couldn’t believe how much grip there is in the high-speed corners.
“Especially going into Turn 1, I can’t remember how much faster he was [than Super Formula], but it was probably around 30km/h, and he could brake much later.
“The braking performance was so different. But once he got over the initial shock, he adapted incredibly quickly.”
While Super Formula has been a breeding ground for F1 drivers, Tsuboi’s future is unknown.
He recently made his first outing at the Nurburgring Nordschleife, so could be an option for teams in the Nurburgring 24 Hours. As a factory driver for Toyota, his future is likely to be tied to the brand.
Haas reserve Ryo Hirakawa will also return to a Haas machine, having practised at the Spanish Grand Prix in 2025 and tested alongside Tsuboi in Fuji.
Hirakawa currently competes in the World Endurance Championship, but has extensive experience in single-seater machinery.
Alongside his outing in Spain, the Japanese driver stepped in for FP1 for Alpine at Suzuka in 2025 and honed his craft in regional series throughout the early stages of his career.
Competitively, he is a two-time WEC winner, a one-time Le Mans winner, and a former Super GT champion.
Recently, Romain Grosjean also returned to Haas in a one-off test at Mugello.
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