Miyata went into the double-header on the Honda-owned Japanese Grand Prix venue as Toyota’s solely real title contender, with Lawson and Nojiri eight and 10 factors again respectively.
Second behind Nojiri in a crash-shortened opening race of the weekend on Saturday meant Miyata’s lead was lower to only 4.5 factors over the reigning champion after qualifying for Sunday’s decider.
After qualifying fourth, TOM’S man Miyata crucially handed Nojiri for third off the road and held the place to complete in the identical positions behind Kakunoshin Ota and Lawson to guarantee himself the crown, a primary for Toyota since 2019.
Wanting again on the occasions of Sunday, Miyata stated he feared Mugen may even deploy staff orders in a bid to make sure the staff’s third consecutive drivers’ title, and was not anticipating the ultimate showdown to go his method.
“For the previous month or so, I’ve been stressed and never sleeping nicely,” stated the 24-year-old. “I used to be nervous. The primary factor I used to be nervous about was qualifying.
“Additionally, I haven’t been sturdy at begins, so [after qualifying] I used to be simply occupied with how you can get by means of the opening lap with out dropping any positions. There’s a video that I watch when I’m confused, and after watching it I believed, ‘It’s higher to not suppose in any respect’.
“I actually didn’t suppose I’d develop into champion. I believed it could be inconceivable. This time [in qualifying] it was a Honda 1-2-3, and I believed Crew Mugen would use staff orders. They’re such a powerful staff, and combating them alone felt virtually hopeless.
“Earlier than the final race, I advised the staff, ‘We’re the one ones who can win the title of the Toyota engine customers, we’ve led Toyota’s championship cost, and regardless that it could be nice to win it, if we lose, we shouldn’t take into consideration what went flawed’.
“As a substitute, I advised them, ‘Let’s end the season with a race that enables us to suppose we did every part we may.’ All we needed to do was our greatest.”
Miyata desires to make use of success to lift Tremendous Method’s profile
Miyata’s breakthrough Tremendous Method title success follows him changing into an official junior driver inside Toyota’s World Endurance Championship squad earlier this 12 months, and his first WEC race outing at Fuji in September in a Ferrari GTE Am car.
It’s understood the Japanese driver will mix a Tremendous Method title defence with a full WEC programme in 2024 as a part of the Toyota-backed ASP Lexus LMGT3 outfit.
Miyata made it clear that he hopes to make use of any future appearances within the WEC and different worldwide classes as a approach to enhance the profile of Tremendous Method.
“After I go abroad, folks are likely to see me simply as somebody from Japan, and regardless that I’m Tremendous Method champion, it’s like, ‘who’re you?’,” admitted Miyata. “That’s one thing I wish to change.
“Previously, it was regular for Tremendous Method champions to get an opportunity in F1 or WEC, so when you think about that, the present state of affairs is sort of irritating.
“I’m nonetheless undecided what possibilities I’ll get to race abroad sooner or later, however as a way to show the extent of Japanese drivers and of Tremendous Method, I wish to proceed with the mindset that I shouldn’t be underestimated even once I’m up in opposition to worldwide drivers.”