Duval champion of Formula Nippon

Loïc duval did not think he would be crowned Formula Nippon champion this weekend. Qualified in tenth position on the grid, the Nakajima Racing driver wanted above all to get into the points. But, benefiting from one of the fastest cars in the field, Duval was able to eat away little by little this Sunday in the Autopolis race, in order to finish third. But, to be able to win the title, he had to monitor the result of his closest rival, another Frenchman, Benoit Tréluyer. The native of Alençon, who started ninth on the grid, did not benefit from an optimal strategy and was the victim of multiple setbacks, preventing him from competing for the podium. In the end, the Lawson Impul driver finished eighth and said goodbye to the hope of being crowned a second time in the discipline.

With eleven points ahead of Benoit Tréluyer before the last race, Loïc Duval can enjoy a well-deserved Formula Nippon championship title. “ Yesterday, you wouldn't have bet on my title, declared the Frenchman as he came down from the podium. I knew I could win the championship this weekend, but following the withdrawal of my Q2 time under yellow flag, I thought instead that I was going to have to fight at Sugo to conclude the championship. We worked on a very good strategy with the team, I was finally able to get on the podium and take enough points to be crowned today. Thanks to Nakajima Racing, who also won the team title, thank you for giving me a high-performance car throughout the season in qualifying and in the race, I am happy with this title. Now, there is one race left at the end of September and of course, I want to finish in style by taking victory in Sugo! »

For Benoit Tréluyer, who can no longer fight for the title, the objective is now to secure second place and not be caught by Takashi Kogure, Loïc Duval's teammate. The Lawson-Impul team driver is still three points ahead of the Japanese and, if he manages to maintain his advantage, will be able to offer a French double on the Formula Nippon podium.