Living and learning in Europe: Getting to know Ritomo Miyata

It has been a world of change for Ritomo Miyata as the Japanese Rodin Motorsport driver competes in Europe for the first time in his career.

So far in his rookie FIA Formula 2 campaign, the 24-year-old has achieved plenty of points finishes as he gets to grips with a brand-new Championship, car and language. We sat down with him to get to know him a little more.

WHERE DO YOU CONSIDER HOME?

“Cologne, Germany, but I’ve not been there long because every weekend I’m racing so I don’t get to go home much in the year! I’ve been there since February this year, so not long but it’s good.”

OUTSIDE OF MOTORSPORT WHICH ATHLETE DO YOU LOOK UP TO?

“Outside of motorsport? I have a friend who is a professional soccer player in Japan and sometimes we’ll speak over chat when I’m at home and online in Germany, but it’s tough because of time zones. But I’d say them.”

WHO ARE YOU GOOD FRIENDS WITH ON THE GRID?

“My teammate Zane. The drivers are pretty young compared to me so I’m from a bit of a different generation. Also, I’ve been driving in Japan so it’s my first time in Europe racing, but I’m around Zane on the weekends and at the factory, so it’s been good.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CHEAT MEAL

“Ahh, I have no idea!”

IF YOU COULD RELIVE A MOMENT IN YOUR CAREER WHAT WOULD IT BE?

“So, I’m married, and I’m spending time with my wife and my family a lot, so I’d say when we got married three years ago, I’d go back and relive that.”

WHAT WOULD YOU DO AS A JOB IF YOU COULDN’T BE A RACING DRIVER?

“I have no idea! Sim racer. I like sim racing. I’m always driving cars and when I’m not doing that, I’m in the sim, so I’m always driving.”

READ MORE: ‘I’m learning with every lap’ - Ritomo Miyata on rising to the F2 challenge

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE MOVIE OR TV SHOW?

“Friends. I’m still learning English and Friends has been very helpful for me to learn the language, and it’s pretty funny.”

WHAT IS THE LAST SONG THAT YOU LISTENED TO?

“K-Pop, but I can’t remember the name of the song.”

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE RACING MEMORY

“I won the Super Formula Championship last year. I have great memories of Round 3 especially at Suzuka, it was my first race win. I started from P12, and I overtook the driver for the win on the final lap, similar to the F1 race there in 2005 with Kimi Raikkonen. That was a really good moment for me and I was very emotional for me because the team always supported me and I finally won a race.”

WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION?

“I have no idea. I have a sim setup at home. When I’m at home I’m on the sim so it would probably be that.”

WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?

“I’m not sure of the best piece of advice I’ve had but when I was a kid, my parents got me into go-karting, and that decision was very important for my life and career, so maybe that moment is the best thing for me.”

READ MORE: How the 2024 Teams’ Championship compares to previous seasons

WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE PLACE YOU’VE EVER BEEN TO AND ONE YOU’VE NEVER BEEN TO THAT YOU’D LIKE TO VISIT?

“Now I’m going around the world, my wife makes the trip sometimes when I’m racing. She said to me that Mallorca is really good, the weather is good, the people are good, food is good, so she wants an invite to go there! So, I want to go there. One of my teammates from European Le Mans Series knows it well so now my wife wants to go.

“In terms of where I’ve been, Japan is the best.”