Interview
Rookie Ritomo Miyata targeting wins and Championship fight with Rodin Motorsport in 2024
Rodin Motorsport’s rookie Ritomo Miyata has already set his sights on claiming victories and on a potential Championship fight in Formula 2. The Japanese driver also talked through his preparations for the year ahead and why he is hopeful that a good debut year in F2 should help him make it to Formula 1.
Miyata had an excellent 2023 winning two races and achieving six podiums on his way to winning the Super Formula Championship, while also claiming the title in the Super GT Series – with three wins and four podiums enough for him to lift the crown.
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He now makes the trip over from Japan to Europe ahead of his rookie campaign with Rodin Motorsport and while excitement is the overriding emotion ahead of pre-season testing, Miyata was just as grateful for the opportunity to have a new experience.
“First, I want to say thank you to (Akio Toyoda) and (Koji Sato), the President of Toyota's company and they gave me this opportunity to drive in Europe,” said Miyata. “Before I only drove in Japan so finally, I can drive in European motorsports.
“Also, I want to say thank you so much to Rodin Motorsport. They are giving me an F2 opportunity, and I am very excited because F2 is where if I can have a good result maybe I could get an F1 chance, and everyone wants to make that, so I am very excited.”
Miyata got his first taste of F2 machinery at the post-season test at Yas Marina last year and already has a fair idea of the differences between the cars he had in Super Formula and the ones he will race in Formula 2.
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“I drove the F2 car last year at the Abu Dhabi post-season test,” said Miyata. “The car is similar to Super Formula because it’s the same manufacturer Dallara, but the engines and tyres I am learning but this is step by step. It's all good for me, this experience is very good.”
Additionally, Miyata knows he will have to learn some new tracks this year, not just for Formula 2 but also in other categories. However, he believes this will be beneficial, as he has already started work on the adaptation process back at Rodin’s base.
“I went the Rodin Motorsport factory and had a meeting with my engineers and also for some simulator driving,” explained Miyata. “I will be driving a lot this season both in F2 and at the European Le Mans series and also as a World Endurance Championship reserve. So, every weekend I'll be at a new circuit, so it will be good.”
In spending time at the Rodin factory, Miyata has also met his new teammate, Zane Maloney. The Bajan driver is entering his second season in F2 and with the team, and Miyata says he is “nice teammate” to have by his side revealing that Maloney has already told him plenty about the tracks he will face this year.
The 24-year-old also believes Maloney’s experience will be key to the team’s goal for the year. Rodin last won the Formula 2 title in 2018, but following a winter of change, Miyata says returning to F2’s summit is the target.
“Our target is winning the Championship,” said Miyata. “My teammate Zane has a lot of experience in F2, and he and the team are very kind to me and have a lot of support for me. Of course, I want to win the Championship and win races, but it is step-by-step.”