Racing driver Shinji Nakano

A love of racing led him down the path to becoming a world champion and F1 driver.

Racing driver Shinji Nakano

■ Profile
He started karting at the age of 11, and in 87, at the age of 16, he became the first Japanese to win the International Kart Grand Prix and the youngest winner in the history of the competition.
In 1997, he became the fifth Japanese driver to make his full F1 debut, and achieved the highest ranking ever for a Japanese driver at the Monaco Grand Prix.
In 2003, he participated in the Indy 500, his second of the world's three major races.
In 2005, he participated in the "24 Hours of Le Mans" endurance race, achieving the remarkable feat of becoming the first Japanese person to participate in all three of the world's major races.
In recent years, in addition to his own racing career, he has been dedicated to nurturing young talent and developing motorsports by taking on roles such as Vice Principal of the Suzuka Racing School (SRS), providing F1 commentary for DAZN, and serving as team manager for two teams in the All Japan GT Championship and the All Japan Super Formula Championship.
He is highly regarded as an internationally experienced driver with extensive overseas experience, and is supported by a wide range of generations as one of Japan's top drivers, both in terms of skill and popularity.

Shinji Nakano, who discovered karting in the sixth grade of elementary school and became a world champion at the age of 16, is now attracting attention as an F1 driver. During his school days, he struggled with bullying and balancing academics and karting, but he decided to "become an F1 driver" and continued to race. We spoke with Mr. Nakano, who is currently involved in F1 commentary and training young drivers, about his intense experiences so far and his outlook for the future.

I started karting when I was in the sixth grade of elementary school. My father was a former racer, so I naturally entered the world of motorsports. Racing is an expensive sport, so it's not something just anyone can easily start. However, thanks to my father's connections and the environment I was in, I was able to stand at the starting line of racing.
When I first started karting, I simply enjoyed it. I was happy to be able to drive faster, and all I could think about was, "How can I get even faster?" By the time I was in my second year of junior high school, karting was the center of my life. After school, I would practice, and on weekends, I would race. I was more interested in becoming number one in races than playing or participating in club activities.
Thanks to my daily efforts, I was able to become a world champion at the age of 16, but by then, my dream of "wanting to be an F1 driver" had changed to "I am going to be an F1 driver." When you only have the feeling of "wanting to be," doubts arise. But when you decide to "become," your actions change. I feel like you solidify your resolve within yourself.

■ Balancing racing and academics during my student days

Actually, I wasn't particularly fond of studying when I was a child. I was just a normal kid who loved to play. However, when I got to middle school and learned that failing grades would mean repeating the year, I thought, "That's not good," and started to study properly when necessary.

My high school entrance exam was the day before the opening round of the All Japan Championships. Many people might have prioritized the exam. However, my father told me to make my own decision. After much deliberation, I chose to compete in the race and take on the exam. As a result, I was able to pass the high school entrance exam, and I learned the importance of making my own decisions and taking responsibility for them.

Even after entering high school, I continued to balance racing activities with my studies, and I often missed classes due to away games and other commitments. Therefore, it was essential to find ways to study efficiently within the limited time I had. I didn't just passively attend classes; I constantly thought about what to prioritize and where to focus my efforts. Looking back, I think that my ability to use time effectively and discern what was necessary to achieve my goals was cultivated during this period.

■Even when I was isolated at school, racing was my only support.

I often missed school for racing activities, and TV crews were also filming at the school, so I sometimes felt isolated and stood out from the crowd. I experienced something like what we would now call "bullying," and it was a painful experience. But I had racing. Looking back now, I realize that it was because I had something I could wholeheartedly dedicate myself to that I was able to overcome those difficulties.
From that experience, I learned that it's absolutely wrong to gang up on someone and corner them. Loneliness is truly painful. Because I've experienced it myself, I think I understand how people who go through it feel. But strangely, I never really envied a normal high school life. I think for me, driving go-karts fast was much more fun.

■ Karting is the closest thing to Formula 1.

Karting is often thought of as an entry-level category, but in reality, it's an incredibly deep and complex sport. Its low profile gives it a strong sense of speed, and the direct, unforgiving controls leave no room for error. Even now, I still believe that karting is the closest thing to Formula 1 racing in terms of feel.
I still ride a go-kart about once a month to maintain my skills. When I'm riding, I can concentrate so completely that I forget about everything else. Lately, there has been an increase in cases of business owners getting hooked on go-karting as a hobby, and I can totally understand why. It requires concentration, and it's also good exercise.
Of course, it's a world where danger is not zero. I myself have experienced accidents where I was on the brink of death. However, if you only think about the dangers, you can't run fast. Safety has improved considerably now, and I think what's important is how you deal with them within that context.

■F1 is a world where speed alone is not enough to win.

Currently, I work as an F1 commentator while also focusing on developing young drivers. I've worked as a commentator for DAZN, and starting this year, I'm also working as a commentator for Fuji TV's FOD.
He also serves as the executive director of Honda's racing school, where he is involved in developing the next generation of drivers.
However, F1 is not a world where you can win simply by being a fast driver. You need to build a good car, build a good team, and have the support of those around you. For that, communication skills are also essential.
That's why I emphasize the importance of greetings, expressing gratitude, and asking questions to my students. I believe that to succeed internationally, it's essential to know yourself and develop your own communication style. When I was working abroad, I lived near my team and went to the factory every day to build relationships. Even if your language skills aren't perfect, you can communicate through actions.

■Message to university students

These days, people often say it's good to have a wide range of experiences. But I believe it's more important to focus on what you love first.
Once I decided to become an F1 driver, I adjusted my entire lifestyle to that goal. I stopped watching TV, drinking alcohol, and limiting my intake of sweets and greasy foods. I judged everything based on whether it was necessary to win.
Of course, not everyone needs to become a race car driver. But if you find something you truly want to do, I encourage you to pursue it wholeheartedly at least once. Focus first, rather than trying to broaden your horizons. The experience of seeing something through to the end will undoubtedly empower you later in life.
My future goal is to nurture the next generation of F1 champions from Japan. I also want to share the appeal of motorsport with more people.
If you ever have the chance, please come and watch a race. I'm sure you'll be amazed by the excitement, far beyond your imagination.

Student Newspaper Online, May 12, 2026, Interview by Reina Inomoto, 1st year student at Kyoto University of the Arts

Ayatsuki Sakakura, 4th year student at Tokyo Metropolitan University / Reina Inomoto, 1st year student at Kyoto University of the Arts / Yurie Watanabe, 3rd year student at Josai International University / Mai Wakao, 4th year student at International Christian University