Anna Inotsume

Anna Inotsume made history in 2023 as the first woman to win a national sprint-series TCR title, cementing her place as one of Japan’s most accomplished touring car racers and the highest-ranked woman in the TCR World Rankings.

EARLY YEARS

Born February 15, 1995, Anna Inotsume grew up in a household where motorsports weren’t just a hobby—they were in the DNA. Her father was an All Japan Gymkhana Champion, and his influence was everything. Unlike many racers who start karting before they can tie their shoes, Anna came to the track late. She didn’t get behind the wheel on a circuit until she was 20, right after getting her driver’s license. That’s practically ancient in racing years, but what she lacked in early seat time, she made up for with ambition and a clear vision: become a professional female driver active in domestic and international racing. Not “try to make it.” Not “see what happens.” Become one. That clarity would define everything that followed.

OTHER INTERESTS

Information about Anna’s life outside the cockpit remains scarce. There’s no public record of her hobbies, whether she’s into music, art, gaming, or what she does when she’s not analyzing telemetry. What we do know is that racing has consumed her focus since that first lap at 20. Whether she’s keeping her personal life private or simply doesn’t have time for much else when you’re rewriting the record books is anyone’s guess.

EARLY SUCCESS

Anna made her racing debut in 2015 in the All Japan Electric Vehicle Race Series—an unconventional starting point that gave her early experience in a rapidly evolving segment of motorsport. By 2019, she was testing the waters in multiple disciplines: a one-round appearance in the JAF-F4 Championship and entries in Super Taikyu. The F4 outing was particularly significant—it gave her a taste of single-seaters, something that would matter later. Her real breakthrough came in the Kyojo Cup, where she finished third in 2020 and improved to second in 2022. But touring cars were calling, and in 2021, she made her partial-season TCR Japan debut. The following year, 2022, she put the paddock on notice: runner-up in both the Saturday and Sunday TCR Japan series, with two wins, nine podiums, one pole position, and three fastest laps. She drove with Dome Racing in the Honda Civic TCR FK7 #98, a partnership that would pay off spectacularly. Her maiden TCR win at Fuji was the first crack in the ceiling; what came next would shatter it entirely.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2015: Debuted in All Japan Electric Vehicle Race Series[2][4].
• 2019: Competed in one round of JAF-F4 Championship and entered Super Taikyu[1].
• 2020: Third place finish in Kyojo Cup[1].
• 2022: Runner-up in both TCR Japan Saturday and Sunday series; scored maiden TCR win at Fuji, plus two total wins, nine podiums, one pole position, and three fastest laps[1].
• 2023: Won double TCR Japan championship with Dome Racing (Honda Civic TCR FK7 #98), becoming the first woman to clinch a national sprint-series TCR title; scored five victories including first victory from pole at WEC event Fuji; became highest-ranked woman in TCR World Rankings[1][2][5].
• 2024: Competed in Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli Japan with Auto Speciale (Ferrari 296 Challenge #3), finishing fifth overall with 25 points; scored second-place finish in Sugo Race-1; began competing in Formula Regional Japanese Championship[1][3][7].
• Undated: Selected for second W Series shootout, where she drove Formula Regional machinery[1].

INSPIRATIONS

Anna’s father—the All Japan Gymkhana Champion—was the spark. His racing pedigree gave her direct access to the sport’s intensity and culture from childhood, even if she didn’t get on track herself until adulthood. Beyond that foundational influence, there’s no public record of other drivers, mentors, or figures who shaped her path. What is clear is that she’s always had her eyes forward, not on emulating anyone else’s career but on building her own.

REPUTATION

Anna Inotsume is recognized in motorsports media as a history-maker and barrier-breaker. Her 2023 TCR Japan double championship made headlines not just in Japan but internationally, positioning her as the highest-ranked woman in the TCR World Rankings—a tangible, measurable achievement in a competitive global landscape. The media coverage has been consistently positive, highlighting her technical skill and her pioneering role as the first woman to win a national sprint-series TCR title. While direct quotes from competitors and team personnel aren’t publicly available, her partnerships with respected organizations like Dome Racing, Jupiteru, and Hagoromo 6 speak to the confidence teams have in her abilities. She’s proven she belongs at the front, not as a novelty but as a legitimate contender.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

Anna is currently active in the 2025 Formula Regional Japanese Championship, a step up that aligns with her stated goal: “to become a professional female driver who is active in domestic and international races.” She’s described the FRJ as “a perfect opportunity” and “the most effective category” for her right now, acknowledging it’s a big challenge after years focused on touring cars. As of April 2025, she’s also still competing in Ferrari Challenge Japan with Auto Speciale, driving the Ferrari 296 Challenge #3. Her move into Formula Regional represents a calculated risk—single-seaters demand different skills than tin-tops, but her W Series shootout experience and that 2019 F4 round gave her a foundation. She’s expressed deep gratitude to Jupiteru and Hagoromo 6 for supporting this new stage of her career. The goal hasn’t changed since she was 20: go professional, go international, and keep climbing.

References:

Anna Inotsume moves to Formula Regional Japan
In Conversation with Japan’s Anna Inotsume
Anna Inotsume – Ferrari Official Driver Profile
Anna Inotsume – Speed Queens Blog
Anna Inotsume makes history with Civic Type R TCR
Anna Inotsume – 51GT3 Profile