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Single seat
Théo Pourchaire making progress, Juju Noda far behind in Suzuka tests
The single-seater that Théo Pourchaire drives for the Impul team at Suzuka. Screenshot
The 2024 Super Formula season is now preparing with three days of training on the renowned Suzuka circuit (Japan). Twenty-two drivers were invited for these tests, the first since the end of the 2023 season. The debut of Theo Pourchaire in Japan are closely scrutinized.
The very recent FIA champion Formula 2 evolves within the Impul team. The 20-year-old Frenchman finished his first two sessions beyond the top 10, but his room for improvement is clear. His best lap, Wednesday morning, placed him 2 seconds behind the best mark recorded by Yuhi Sekiguchi (Team KCMG) and in 18th place.
ALSO READ > Théo Pourchaire confirmed for Super Formula rookie tests
In the afternoon, Théo Pourchaire improved his position by two places (16th), but above all erased almost seven tenths behind the fastest of the session, Sho Tsuboi (Team TOM'S). A faster pace in the space of a few hours which says a lot about its adaptability. Théo Pourchaire has in fact never driven a car of Super Formula (670 kg for more than 550 horsepower, a more competitive weight-power ratio than an F2), and even less on one of the most demanding circuits on the planet, Suzuka!
Also registered in these tests, the Japanese Juju Noda (TGM Grand Prix) brought up the rear both in the morning and the afternoon. The young driver aged 17, also a rookie in Super Formula, displays a significant delay, of more than 4 seconds. The 3 Drexler-Automotive Formula 2023 Cup champion and 8th in the Euroformula Open at the wheel of a Formula 3 faces a very significant performance gap compared to its single-seaters that it drove in Europe.
Morning ranking:
Afternoon ranking:
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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