Single seat
Hirakawa launches the season at Fuji with a success, Fenestraz 3rd
© Super Formula
At the wheel of a car black and gold evoking the glorious hours of Lotus in Formula 1, Ryo Hirakawa (Team Impul) started the 2022 Super Formula season with a bang. The 28-year-old driver won the first race held at Fuji this Saturday, April 9.
Placed in third place on the starting grid, the new driver of the Toyota Gazoo Racing in the World Endurance Championship (WEC) replacing Kazuki Nakajima especially increased the pace after mid-effort.
“The race was grueling, did he declare. I encountered difficulties especially on the first part of the test. But I didn't give up and took the opportunity to overtake Tomoki Nojiri (Team Mugen). The pit stops were perfect and I had good pace during the second stint. »
Without a victory in Super Formula since 2020, Ryo Hirakawa is ahead of title holder Tomoki Nojiri and the Franco-Argentinian Sacha fenestraz (Kondo Racing). The champion of F3 Japan 2019 marks its return to the podium following a year of administrative hassles with the country of the rising sun (ban on entering the territory during the Covid-19 period and an almost blank season).
The other Frenchman entered, Giulian Alesi (TOM'S), was penalized following a collision with Nirei Fukuzumi (ThreeBond Drago Corse) at the start (retirement) and finished 17th. A second race will be organized on Mount Fuji on Sunday April 10.
Super Formula 2022 Fuji 1 – Result:
Medhi Casaurang
Passionate about the history of motorsport across all disciplines, I learned to read thanks to AUTOhebdo. At least that's what my parents tell everyone when they see my name inside!
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