Yamamoto victorious at Suzuka, Hirakawa retires

A week after his Super GT title at Fuji, Naoki Yamamoto (Team Dandelion Racing) continues his momentum. The day after a record pole in 1'34"533, the Japanese driver climbed to the top step of the podium at Suzuka.

Well off to a good start when the lights went out, the 2020 Super GT champion widened the gap and had a lead of up to seven seconds before his first trip to the pits at the start of the 19th lap of the race.

The cards were then reshuffled after Nobuharu Matsuhita (Buzz Racing) went off the track eleven laps from the end forcing the safety car to enter the track.

Leading behind the Safety Car, Naoki Yamamoto ensures his relaunch despite the threat of Kazuki Nakajima (Team Tom's) right behind. The Dandelion team driver resisted his rival's attacks well and managed to take cover with more than a second in advance.

Left behind, Nakajima fails to reduce the gap with the man in the lead and is forced to lose this Saturday for the first of the two races scheduled at Suzuka. Naoki Yamamoto offers himself his first success in 2020.

Leading the championship before the start of the weekend, Ryo Hirakawa did not finish the race. Fighting for a place in the Top 5, the Team Impul driver was hit by Ukyo Sasahara (Team Mugen) during a four-way battle entering the first turn on lap 24.

Fifth at the finish and second in the championship, Nick Cassidy (Team Tom's) took advantage of Ryo Hirakawa's retirement to move closer to the top of the standings. He is now only five points behind with two races remaining in the season.

On the French side, Sacha Fenestraz (Kondo Racing) was able to cross the finish line in 10th place. He notably took advantage of the accident involving Ryo Hirakawa to get closer to the Top 10 before clinching it for good by getting rid of Charles Milesi (Buzz Racing).