Kawabata Dominates D1GP Odaiba Opener — 2026 Season Begins in Style

Masato Kawabata delivered a masterclass at Odaiba to claim the opening round of the 2026 D1GP season, picking up exactly where he left off from his title-winning 2025 campaign — a dominant season.

The Falken Motorsports Toyota GR86 driver was in imperious form throughout the Tokyo weekend, his car perfectly balanced for the tight, technical Odaiba layout. From the very first qualifying run it was clear Kawabata was operating at another level.

Daigo Saito made the final after a breathtaking semifinal run, pushing Kawabata to the very limit in a battle that had spectators on their feet. Saito's V8-powered Blitz Lexus remains one of the most spectacular machines in professional drifting, and his runner-up result sets the tone for what could be another epic season-long rivalry.

Nobushige Kumakubo continued his remarkable consistency to claim third, his iconic Team Orange Silvia drawing the loudest cheers from the home crowd — proof that at D1GP, legacy matters as much as lap times.

"I want to defend this title more than anything," said Kawabata at the post-event press conference. "Every year gets harder, but we've made big steps over the winter."

Round 2 heads to Suzuka in May.