MIKI KOYAMA’s Rough Rookie Season Exposes Apr’s Driver Development Problems

November 26, 2025

• Toyota junior MIKI KOYAMA endured a brutal learning curve in SUPER GT’s GT300 class, paired with WEC rookie Oliver Rasmussen in what team boss Hiroto Kaneso called Apr’s “worst” season ever. Their best finish was a modest 12th at Fuji, landing them 23rd out of 28 crews – a far cry from the previous year’s sixth-place championship finish.
• Kaneso didn’t mince words about the hybrid Lexus LC500h being unforgiving to inexperienced drivers, noting that neither KOYAMA nor Rasmussen could adapt quickly enough to the car’s complex characteristics. While acknowledging both drivers showed steady improvement, he emphasized that SUPER GT “is not a place to practice, it’s a place to fight” – highlighting the series’ sink-or-swim mentality.
• The team’s best shot at redemption came at Sugo where they were running top-five before terminal damage ended their podium hopes, underscoring how close KOYAMA came to breakthrough results. With Apr now reconsidering their driver development approach and discussing bringing in more experienced Toyota drivers, it’s a reminder that even manufacturer junior programs can’t guarantee immediate success in Japan’s premier GT series.

apr racing, gt300, japanese super gt, lexus lc500h