Honda Triumphs at Autopolis GT 3 Hours Race, Setting Up Thrilling Championship Finale
In a stunning display at the 2025 Autobacs SUPER GT Series’ Autopolis GT 3 Hours Race, Honda’s Team Kunimitsu secured a crucial victory with drivers Naoki Yamamoto and Tadasuke Makino in the #100 Stanley Honda Civic Type R-GT. This victory marked Honda’s first GT500 win of the season and an all-Honda podium sweep, setting the stage for a tightly contested championship finale at Mobility Resort Motegi.
Race Overview
The race unfolded under dry conditions despite earlier rain during qualifying. Polesitter Daiki Sasaki led the start in the #3 Niterra Motul Nissan Z, closely followed by his teammate Mitsunori Takaboshi in the #23 Motul Autech Z. Early incidents, including a collision involving Tsugio Matsuda’s #24 Realize Corporation Advan Z and Takuya Izawa’s #64 Modulo Civic, prompted a Full Course Yellow and subsequently a Safety Car period.
As the race resumed, the #37 Deloitte TOM’S GR Supra of Ukyo Sasahara quickly moved up the field, ultimately overtaking Sasaki and Takaboshi to claim the lead before executing its first pit stop. Strategy played a crucial role, and an early stop led Oyu’s #38 KeePer Cerumo GR Supra to temporarily take the lead.
With less than 80 minutes remaining, Makino expertly navigated through the field after a late pit strategy, regaining the lead and maintaining it for the race’s final stint. This victory not only marks Honda’s resurgence but also brings them into a six-way title fight heading into the final race, with Yamamoto and Makino now positioned just 8.5 points behind championship leaders Tsuboi/Yamashita.
Key Quotes
Yamamoto expressed his relief and satisfaction: “This has been one of the last races for the Civic Type R-GT, so we came into this race really wanting to get a win with our own hands.”
Makino added, “Through this season of difficult times, we finally put together a race we can be proud of. I am very happy.”
Final Standings
The race concluded with a Hondas sweeping the podium: #100 Stanley Civic (1st), #64 Modulo Civic (2nd), and #16 ARTA Civic (3rd). The performance of Yamamoto and Makino solidifies Honda’s contention for the championship, with just one race remaining in the season.
The subsequent Autopolis race results reinforce the pressure on the top teams as they look to secure their standings in the upcoming finale, where the championship will ultimately be decided.
GT500 Race Results
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100 Stanley Honda Civic Type R-GT
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64 Modulo Honda Civic Type R-GT
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16 ARTA Honda Civic Type R-GT
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38 KeePer Cerumo Toyota GR Supra
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19 WedsSport GR Supra
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23 Motul Autech Nissan Z
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3 Niterra Motul Nissan Z
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17 Astemo Honda Civic
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14 Eneos Toyota GR Supra
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8 ARTA Honda Civic
The intense competition leading to Motegi promises an exhilarating conclusion to the 2025 SUPER GT season.
