Ai Miura

Ai Miura is a Japanese racing driver who has spent over a decade proving herself in Japan’s fiercely competitive single-seater championships, sportscar racing, and even solar car competitions—because why stick to just one way to go fast?

EARLY YEARS

Born November 24, 1989, in Nara Prefecture, Japan, Ai Miura didn’t stumble into motorsports by accident. Her single-seater career began under the influence of her father and older brother, who clearly knew what they were doing when they introduced her to karting at age twelve. She participated in her first kart race at that age and didn’t just finish—she won it. That initial victory set the tone for what would become a karting career studded with 14 wins as she honed her skills and developed the kind of racecraft that would carry her into professional motorsports.[1][2]

OTHER INTERESTS

Beyond circuit racing, Miura has a surprisingly eclectic motorsports resume. She piloted her university’s solar-powered racecar in the FIA Solar Car Race held at Suzuka, winning the event two years in a row—in 2012 and 2013. Yes, solar cars. Because apparently, racing on gasoline alone wasn’t enough of a challenge.[3][4] This demonstrated not only her versatility behind the wheel but also her ability to adapt to wildly different types of machinery and competition formats.

EARLY SUCCESS

Miura made her debut in the Japanese Formula 3 Championship in 2014, becoming the first female driver to compete in the series in 18 years. Racing in the National Class for EXEDY Racing Team—where she was also an employee in the CSR and Public Relations Department—she claimed her first victory at the opening race, making history as the first woman to win a Japanese Formula 3 race. She finished the 2014 season fourth in the National Class with 55 points.[5][6] In 2015, she returned to Japanese F3’s National Class and finished as runner-up with three wins and an impressive thirteen second-place finishes, consistently battling at the sharp end of the field.[7] She continued competing in Japanese F3 through 2019, racking up points finishes and proving her staying power in one of Japan’s most competitive junior formulas.

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS

• 2014: First female driver to win a Japanese Formula 3 race, taking victory in the National Class at the opening round.[5]
• 2015: Runner-up in Japanese Formula 3 National Class with three wins and thirteen second-place finishes.[7]
• 2017: Finished eighth overall in the Japanese Formula 3 Championship, scoring points seven times.[8]
• 2020: Won the KYOJO CUP championship in her first attempt, racing for LHG Racing with YLT.[9]
• 2021: Finished runner-up in the Formula Regional Japanese Championship, taking her first series victory at Fuji along with multiple podiums.[10][11]
• 2025: Secured multiple top-20 finishes in Formula 4 Japan at Suzuka as the highest-placed woman in the field, and claimed her season-best result at Fuji in a red-flagged race.[12][13]

INSPIRATIONS

Miura’s racing career was directly influenced by her father and older brother, who introduced her to the world of motorsports and supported her early karting endeavors. Their encouragement laid the foundation for her transition from karting success to a professional racing career in single-seaters.[2]

REPUTATION

Ai Miura is recognized as a trailblazer in Japanese motorsports, particularly for breaking barriers in the male-dominated Japanese Formula 3 Championship. Her consistent performances across multiple categories—from F3 to Formula Regional Japan to Formula 4—have earned her respect as a versatile and determined competitor. While she hasn’t always had the flashiest equipment or the biggest budgets, she’s made a career out of extracting maximum performance from whatever car she’s been given. She’s also notable for balancing her racing career with her role as an employee at EXEDY, where she worked in the CSR and Public Relations Department while simultaneously competing at a high level.[14][15] That takes discipline, focus, and probably a lot of coffee.

FUTURE GOALS/PLANS

As of 2025, Miura continues to compete in the Formula 4 Japanese Championship with Bionic Jack Racing, demonstrating her commitment to staying active in competitive single-seater racing. With rounds scheduled through September at venues including Sportsland Sugo, she remains focused on securing strong finishes and continuing to represent women in Japanese motorsports.[12][16]

REFERENCES

[1] Ai Miura – Racing Driver Profile – 51GT3
[2] Ai Miura – Wikipedia
[3] Topics | EXEDY RACING CLUTCH (2011)
[4] EXEDY’s Ai Miura Wins the Solar Car Race Suzuka 2013
[5] EXEDY employee Ai Miura takes home first for the N Class
[6] EXEDY employee Ai Miura is competing in the Japanese Formula 3 Championship
[7] Ai Miura – Speedqueens
[8] EXEDY Employee Ai Miura Finished the 2017 Japanese Formula 3
[9] Ai Miura – Wikipedia (KYOJO CUP)
[10] Ai Miura takes first victory in Formula Regional Japan at Fuji
[11] Three podiums for Miki Koyama at F.Regional Japan season opener
[12] Top-20 finishes for Ai Miura in Formula 4 Japan at Suzuka
[13] Japanese F4: Ai Miura takes season-best result amidst chaos at Fuji
[14] Celebrating the women of Super GT
[15] Ai Miura | Driver Database
[16] 2025 Formula 4 Japanese Championship – Liquipedia