Formula DRIFT 2025 Driver List Brings Many Unexpected Surprises

The official Formula DRIFT PRO lineup for 2025 has been revealed, bringing major changes and several surprises.

A few years ago, seeing a list of 60+ competitors on the driver list would’ve been normal. However, with PROSPEC changing the game, alongside some notable absences (which we’ll dive into shortly), just 34 drivers will be competing for the PRO title this year.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, though. The smaller field could create the most intense competition to date, though many fans are disappointed to see several big names missing from the roster.

Here are the most significant changes for 2025:

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Daigo Saito Returns After A Decade

Of course, the biggest news is the return of Japanese drifting legend Daigo Saito, who makes his long-awaited comeback by joining Jerry Yang Racing for the 2025 FD USA season. His 2012 rookie championship in his 1,200-horsepower Lexus SC430 remains one of drifting’s most impressive achievements.

It will be interesting to see how Saito’s aggressive style and experience fare against the 2025 grid. A LOT has changed in FD since his last appearance.

Ireland Takes Things To The Next Level

James Deane enters as the clear man to beat after breaking the all-time record by clinching his fourth Formula DRIFT title in 2024.

Jack Shanahan joins his brother Conor on the grid for the first time, driving a right-hand-drive BMW 1 Series alongside Rome Charpentier.

Meanwhile, Conor Shanahan returns with a refreshed program. He is now driving a freshly built Toyota GT86 specifically for FD – the same platform that earned him the 2023 Drift Masters title.

Minowa Comes Back For More

Hiroya Minowa returns for his second season after making history as the youngest driver to reach a Formula DRIFT podium at just 14 years old. The youngster showed remarkable consistency throughout his rookie campaign, climbing to third in midseason standings in his 1,300-horsepower Toyota GT86.

Although he didn’t manage to bag a win last year, we have no doubt it’s on his agenda for 2025.

Adam LZ Goes All-In

Popular YouTuber and celebrity drifter Adam LZ will focus exclusively on Formula DRIFT for 2025.

Despite impressing in Europe’s Drift Masters series last year, he’s dropping his DMGP commitments to concentrate on trying to land the FD title.

Several High-Profile Absences

There are some surprisingly big names missing from the 2025 grid.

After a last-minute decision, Australian drifter Luke Fink is forced to postpone his highly-anticipated debut until 2026 after many setbacks with his four-door Nissan Skyline R32 build.

Mike Power was denied a PRO license renewal following his difficult 2024 season, forcing him to compete in PROSPEC this year as he works to earn his way back to the top division.

Fan-favorite Forrest Wang is also missing from the lineup, along with Diego Higa, Alec Robbins, Robert Thorne, and Taylor Hull also not returning.

Kyle Mohan opts to take a sabbatical with plans to return in 2026.

Fresh Talent Moves Up

Three standouts from last year’s PROSPEC category – champion Tommy Lemaire, runner-up Connor O’Sullivan, and Austin Matta – earned promotion to the top tier.

The Season Starts In Just Over Two Weeks

Another absence is for the first time in Formula DRIFT’s 21-year history without Irwindale Speedway as the championship finale venue.

With the legendary “House of Drift” now closed, the series is expected to crown its champion at a new Southern California location, which is still yet to be decided.

For now, one clear thing is that the 2025 Formula DRIFT season begins in just over two weeks at Long Beach on April 4-5, and we cannot wait!

Written by Bill Jefferies

Bill is a drifting journalist and photographer who has been part of the Drifted team since 2015. His work extends to various print and online publications, including Wangan Warriors.

As part of the King of Nations team, he traveled extensively for several years, capturing top-tier international drift events worldwide. His hands-on experience, including rebuilding his own Nissan Silvia S15 drift car, gives him unique insights into drift car building and global drift culture.

When not behind the lens or keyboard, Bill can be found browsing classifieds for his next JDM project or shredding virtual tires on popular simulators like Assetto Corsa, CarX, and Forza.

You can learn more about Bill's story here or follow his socials on X (formerly Twitter), Flickr, Facebook, and Instagram.