Hana Burton
Formula racing // Tokyo, Japan
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Hana Burton traded social media marketing for Japan’s racing circuits in her mid-twenties, earning 2022 Rookie of the Year honors and advancing to formula racing with hybrid F4 cars.
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In time attacks, you’re mostly comparing yourself to yourself… but in racing, especially in a one-make series, you always compare yourself to others and know how much you can improve.
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FULL BIO: Hana Burton
Hana Burton is a Japanese-American racing driver who made a remarkable transition from social media marketing to competitive motorsports in her mid-twenties. She has rapidly progressed through Japan’s premier racing series, earning recognition as one of the most promising female drivers in modern motorsports.
EARLY YEARS
Born on May 21, 1997, in Japan to Japanese-American parents, Burton’s path to racing was anything but conventional. Unlike most professional drivers who start karting as children, she had zero exposure to motorsports growing up. Her early twenties were spent working as a social media manager and marketer, completely removed from the automotive world. Everything changed when HKS contacted her for a marketing position, requiring her to learn to drive a Scion FR-S. Her first taste of serious driving came at Chuckwalla Valley Raceway in California, where track days sparked an unexpected passion that would reshape her entire career trajectory.
OTHER INTERESTS
Burton’s background in social media and marketing remains central to her identity, with a substantial Instagram following of over 470,000 that she cultivated through automotive content creation. Her bilingual abilities have led to official commentary roles, including serving as the English commentator for the Super Taikyu Series in 2022. Her marketing expertise has proven invaluable in building relationships with sponsors and teams throughout her racing career.
EARLY SUCCESS
The speed of Burton’s racing development defied conventional wisdom. After obtaining her Japanese racing license in 2022 with crucial assistance from mentor Arisa Mizuhara, she immediately entered the Toyota Gazoo Racing Yaris Cup. Her debut season was nothing short of impressive, earning the Rookie of the Year award and proving that late starters could compete at the highest levels. By 2023, she had advanced to the Inter Proto Series Kyojo Cup, piloting the VITA-01 prototype single-seater and consistently finishing in the top ten. Her methodical approach included keeping a detailed binder tracking her racing progress, demonstrating the organizational skills that translated from her marketing background.
NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS
- 2022: Rookie of the Year, Toyota Gazoo Racing Yaris Cup
- 2023: Multiple top-ten finishes in Inter Proto Series Kyojo Cup
- 2024: Personal best 4th place finish in Kyojo Cup Round 3, 9th overall championship standing
- 2024: Competed in both Kyojo Cup hybrid Formula 4 cars and Fuji Championship Series
- 2022: Official English commentator for Super Taikyu Series
INSPIRATIONS
Japanese racer Arisa Mizuhara stands as Burton’s most significant influence, serving not only as a mentor but as the person who facilitated her entry into competitive racing and helped secure her racing license. Burton has also connected with prominent figures in Japanese motorsports, including meeting Formula 1 driver Yuki Tsunoda, though specific racing heroes or childhood inspirations remain largely undocumented due to her late start in the sport.
REPUTATION
Within the racing community, Burton has earned respect for her remarkable adaptability and determination. Industry observers praise her rapid learning curve and professional approach to racecraft development. Her transition from time attack driving to competitive wheel-to-wheel racing has been particularly noted, with Burton herself observing that “in time attacks, you’re mostly comparing yourself to yourself… but in racing, especially in a one-make series, you always compare yourself to others and know how much you can improve.” Her presence as a prominent female driver in Japan’s competitive racing landscape has made her a notable figure in advancing women’s participation in motorsports, though she has focused primarily on performance rather than advocacy.
FUTURE GOALS/PLANS
For 2025, Burton returns to the Kyojo Cup with Team TOM’S, this time competing in the new era of hybrid Formula 4 cars, marking her official debut in formula racing. With continued backing from Toyota Gazoo Racing and partnerships including ENEOS, Acura, and Goodyear, she has expressed excitement about making the step up to formula machinery and continuing her rapid progression through Japan’s racing hierarchy. Her focus remains on consistent improvement and strong results as she builds toward higher levels of motorsport competition.
References:
[1] Racing Interview Source
[2] Career Development Profile
[3] Team Announcement and Results
[4] Biographical Profile
[5] Current Status Update
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