Written by Ramiza Donlic, Edited by Vyas Ponnuri
Women have played an influential role throughout the history of motor racing. Many have taken to the wheels of motorsport machines, while numerous figures have worked tirelessly on the sidelines in various roles, shaping the racing world to the present day. Woman Spotlight Wednesday aims to take a look at the tales of these superwomen, who have surpassed various hurdles to reach where they are today.
Today's story dives into the tale of a vibrant personality, none other than Japanese Super GT Championship competitor, and Toyota Gazoo Racing development driver, Miki Koyama.
Born on September 5, 1997, in Yokohama, Japan, Koyama's journey in motorsport began at an early age. Inspired by the excitement of motor racing, she started karting when she was just 12.
Her natural aptitude and dedication quickly set her apart, and within a few years, she competed in national karting championships. Currently racing in the Super GT Series GT300 class as a reserve driver for R´Qs Motor Sports, she is best known for her time in the W Series from 2019 to 2021.
She became the first woman to win an FIA-sanctioned, all-gender single-seater championship when she won the 2022 Formula Regional Japanese Championship. Koyama's performance caught the attention of the Japanese motorsport community, who recognised her potential to be a standout talent.
With her eyes set on a professional racing career, Koyama transitioned from karting to single-seater racing in the Japanese Formula 4 series in 2015, a significant stepping stone in her journey.
Her time in Formula 4 was critical to her development as a driver, with Koyama quickly learning the nuances of high-speed racing, racecraft, and the technical demands of single-seater competition. Her Formula 4 performances were notable, and she earned a reputation as a skilled and determined driver. She was the first champion of the all-women´s Kyojo Cup series in 2017 and 2018.
Koyama gained international recognition in 2019 when she joined the W Series, an all-female racing championship launched to promote women in motorsport. The W Series gave Koyama a global platform to showcase her talent, and she delivered consistently strong performances.
In 2019, Koyama was announced as one of the 18 permanent drivers for the inaugural season of the W Series. The Japanese racer consistently displayed her aggressive racing style, finishing in the top ten overall.
The W Series provided Koyama with valuable exposure, yet again, proving her capabilities against top female drivers from around the world.
Her success and visibility in the W Series have made her a role model for aspiring female racers, particularly back home in Japan, where she continues to inspire young women to pursue careers in motorsport.
After the 2019 W Series season, Koyama returned to Japan with a heightened profile and new goals. After two seasons in the W Series, Koyama was named as a Toyota Gazoo Racing Driver Challenge (TGR-DC) academy driver for the 2022 season.
She raced full-time in the Formula Regional Japanese Championship for the Super License, with backing from Toyota. Koyama won seven races and clinched the series title.
In February 2023, Koyama was announced as the third driver for Anest Iwata Racing with Arnage in the 2023 Super GT Series.
She became the first woman to race in the championship since Cyndie Allemann in 2012. She successfully passed her rookie orientation test at Fuji Speedway on 21 April, and competed for the first time in the fourth round at Fuji where she finished 19th in class.
Koyama returned to the series as the reserve driver in R´Qs MotorSports Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo for 2024, twinning this with full-time participation in APR’s Lexus RC F GT3 in Super Taikyu.
In the fifth round of the Super Taikyu, Koyama became the second female driver to win a Super Taikyu race outright, and the first since Hisami Sato in 1993.
Koyama joined the Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia, in 2024 with Iron Lynx Theodore Racing, competing with Hon Chio Leong.
In an exciting development, Miki Koyama has been selected by Lola Yamaha ABT to participate in Formula E´s first all-female test session at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia, scheduled for November.
This test is designed to introduce and develop female talent in Formula E, offering participants the chance to showcase their skills in one of the world’s premier electric racing series. For Koyama, this marks an important step in her career and her first experience with electric single-seaters—a new and rapidly evolving area of motorsport.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Miki to the team. As our recent signing of Zane Maloney, himself a Formula E rookie, demonstrates, our commitment to accelerate the next generation of motorsport extends beyond the technology to the drivers themselves.
“Providing greater opportunities for women throughout the paddock is a key part of that vision,” said Chairman of Lola Cars Ltd, Till Bechtolsheimer.
The Chairman emphasized the value Miki brings to the team, noting that, as a new team, every second of pre-season testing is crucial. He expressed confidence that Miki will not only maximise this opportunity for herself, but will also play an essential role in advancing the team’s core development goals during this critical phase.
Miki commented, “The upcoming test in Valencia is a great chance to experience the next generation of Formula E cars, and I’m looking forward to making the most of my time in the car, and to also provide constructive feedback to the team as we prepare for the upcoming season.
“It’s exciting to be part of such a progressive initiative as the all-female test, it’s a brilliant platform to learn, showcase our abilities, and support the team’s development.”
The Formula E test will challenge Koyama to adapt to the unique demands of electric racing, including energy management and the technical complexities of the Gen3 Formula E cars.
Koyama’s performances over the years have shown her adaptability and commitment to mastering the technical demands of single-seater racing. Her dedication and consistent improvement have made her one of Japan's top female racing talents.
Koyama's commitment to her craft has also paved the way for other young Japanese women interested in motorsport, fostering a new level of inclusivity in the Japanese racing scene.
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