Super Formula – Lotterer and Nakajima on pole, Duval in ambush

This morning, there were still seven drivers who could claim the Super Formula title, on the verge of the final, which is being held this weekend at Suzuka. It was about Kazuki Nakajima (33 points), João Paolo Lima de Oliveira (29), André Lotterer (26,5), Loïc duval (26,5), Hiroaki Ishiura (23), James Rossiter (20,5) and Yuji Kunimoto (17). After qualifying, there are only six left, the latter having seen his last hopes disappear today.

As a reminder, this closing meeting is a bit special since it is made up of two races, each of which brings eight points to the winner. As usual, the authors of pole position are credited with an additional unit. And in this exercise, it is once again the residents of the Tom'S team who stood out today.

By completing a lap of the Suzuka circuit in 1'38"085, André Lotterer set the best time in Q1, which determines the starting grid for the first race. His teammate Kazuki Nakajima may have regrets since he sets exactly the same time! The top five is completed by Kunimoto (Cerumo), De Oliveira (Impul), and Loïc duval (Team LeMans), which follow respectively at 0 »146, 0 »163 and 0 »333. Best Honda driver, Naoki Yamamoto is sixth.

Only the top eight from Q2 were allowed to advance to Q3. With revenge, Kazuki Nakajima climbed to the top of the timesheet in 1'37"507, thus giving himself the right to take pole position for the second and final race. The Japanese was ahead of the Frenchman Loïc Duval by 0”164 and the German André Lotterer by 0”210. Followed by Kunimoto, Ishiura and De Oliveira, who will therefore start sixth.

Nakajima, who sees his points counter rise to 34, confirms his status as favorite. But the Japanese, who is having an exemplary season, knows that he will have a lot to do to overcome De Oliveira, Lotterer and Duval in particular, who are far from having given up. The two races tomorrow promise a great spectacle.

Results of Q1 (Race 1 Grid):
1. Lotterer 1’38”085
2. K.Nakajima (+0 »000)
3. Kunimoto (+0 »146)
4. De Oliveira (+0 »163)
5. Duval (+0 »333)
6. Yamamoto (+0 »389)
7. Ishiura (+0 »421)
8. Hirakawa (+0 »434)
9. Tsukakoshi (+0 »729
10. Rossiter (+0 »886)
etc.

Results of Q3 (Race 2 Grid):
1. Nakajima (1’37”507)
2. Duval (1’37”671)
3. Lotterer (1’37”717)
4. Kunimoto (1’37”862)
5. Ishiura (1’37”900)
6. De Oliveira (1’38”000)
7. Hirakawa (1’38”239
8. Rossiter (1’39”721)
etc.