Team 5ZIGEN returns to the grid in 2026 with an all-Silver driver line-up, led by Atsushi Miyake for the new season of GT World Challenge (GTWC) Asia powered by AWS.
The Japanese squad first joined the championship in 2023 and quickly established itself as a competitive force. Since then, it has claimed three overall race victories, while previous driver pairings secured Silver-Am runners-up honours on two occasions. Now, however, the team embraces a fresh challenge with a revised driver structure.
Super GT Star, Miyake, leads new era for TEAM 5ZIGEN in 2026 GTWC Asia with Aoki
Super GT500 and Super Formula racer Atsushi Miyake headlines the line-up. He joins forces with Super GT rival Takayuki Aoki, with both drivers set to make their GT World Challenge Asia debuts.
Although neither has contested the championship previously, both bring experience from the Suzuka 1000km, albeit with different teams. Their arrival signals clear intent from 5ZIGEN to compete strongly in the ultra-competitive Silver class.
Miyake, born in 1999, has built an impressive résumé in Japanese motorsport. After winning the SRS-F Scholarship in 2018, he finished runner-up in the Japanese F4 Championship in 2019. Subsequently, he progressed through Super Formula Lights before stepping into Super GT machinery.
In GT500 competition, Miyake has raced with NISMO NDDP and will move to Kondo Racing in 2026. He also competes in Super Formula with ThreeBond Racing. This breadth of top-level experience adds significant strength to 5ZIGEN’s programme.
However, the calendar presents an early complication. The Mandalika round in May clashes with Super GT commitments, forcing the Nissan-affiliated Miyake to step aside temporarily. As a result, former Formula 1 tester Kimiya Sato will deputise for that event.
Sato’s extensive single-seater and endurance racing background ensures continuity and maintains the team’s competitive prospects during Miyake’s absence.
A proud motorsport heritage
Team 5ZIGEN forms part of 5ZIGEN International Inc., a company founded in 1987 that initially specialised in performance exhaust systems before expanding into wheels and other motorsport components.
The racing arm first competed in 1989 and has since participated in categories ranging from Japanese Formula 3 to Super GT and Super Taikyu. After focusing on technical support operations for several years, the team returned to active competition in 2020 and has steadily rebuilt its presence on the national and international stage.
The 2026 GT World Challenge Asia campaign begins at Sepang International Circuit on 4–5 April, where the opening two 60-minute races will set the tone for the season. With proven race-winning pedigree and a highly rated Silver pairing, Team 5ZIGEN embarks on a new chapter aiming to convert potential into championship contention.
