On the race day of the AUTOPOLIS GT 3Hours RACE, Round 7 of the 2025 AUTOBACS SUPER GT series held on October 19th, Itsuki Sato, who will be competing in the FIA Formula 4 World Cup held during the 72nd Macau Grand Prix, and Masahiko Kageyama, the manager of the team Sato drives for, HYDRANGEA Kageyama Racing, appeared on the stage for a public announcement of their challenge held before GTA’s regular press conference.

　It will be the first time in the history of traditional Macau Grand Prix taking place from November 13th to 16th at Macau (Macao Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China) to host a race competed by FIA F4 race cars. The event that brings together highly skilled top drivers, a total of 20 drivers, from FIA F4 races across the globe is truly the battle to decide the number one of F4. It is a huge opportunity for Sato who currently stands at the top of point standing in the FIA-F4 championship.

　”It will be very valuable experience for me to race against the fast drivers coming from all over the world. I firstly want to enjoy the race and give everything I have to win the race.” Sato, who was selected for the race that will be carried out as a part of the historical event held on a specially built street circuit in the city of Macau, revealed his goal for the competition.

　Team Manager Kageyama reflected on his experience of racing in Macau Grand Prix F3 race and shared his expectation on Sato, “I had a painful experience, so I can’t give advice (bitter smile), but I told him to learn the track thoroughly from the simulator and make sure to stay on the track until the end. I believe it will be very difficult to produce an outcome at Macau, but I hope he completes the entire laps and comes back with the highest position he can possibly get.”

　Representing GTA which is the promoter of FIA-F4 Championship held in Japan, President & CEO Bandoh expressed his support to Sato who will be competing in Macau for the first time and, at the same time, shared his view on the current situation. “There is a field where drivers from the same category (FIA-F4) but different parts of the world can compete each other, but, even if there is a route to join the competition from the young driver development programs of Japan, most of the expense has to be borne by the team. I can understand there is cost involved. We need to create an environment that can provide support in that area.” Bandoh explained the need for mid- and long-term support and that GTA as the promoter will put effort with the need to build such organization in mind.