Sacha Fenestraz returns to winning ways in Fuji

We left Sacha Fenestraz in the midst of a questioning phase during the summer break. The 2022 Super Formula runner-up was having trouble reacclimating to the specificities of Japanese competition after a two-year contract with Nissan in Formula EThe Annecy native had nevertheless been hired by the clan's benchmark stable. Toyota, the Tom's team, which had partnered him with the double champion, Sho Tsuboi. While the Japanese driver avoided setup issues as best he could during the first half of the season, it was a different story for the French-speaking driver, who only managed one top 5 finish in the first four meetings. However, since the summer, Sacha Fenestraz has been back on track. Second at Sugo in Super GT, the official Toyota driver followed up two weeks later with a pole position at the Fuji Speedway. A time achieved in torrential rain. It's been about three years since Tom's last monopolized the front row (since 2021 at Autopolis. Editor’s note). The conditions were very difficult, with aquaplaning here and there and accidents.

A few hours later, he followed up with victory, his first in Super Formula since 2022! And too bad if only six laps were completed under green flag conditions, before the race was stopped due to persistent fog. "Thanks to a good performance in qualifying, I was able to become aware of my true capabilities, confided the rookie champion of F4 France 10 years ago. I'm really happy to be back at the top like this. When I left Super Formula in 2022, I said to myself, "I want to come back one day to compete in the championship." It was the first time I heard the Argentinian national anthem. (he has been driving under an Argentinian license since 2025. Editor's note). I recently lost my grandmother, so I want to dedicate this victory to her.” ​​​​​​

Race 2 canceled

Sacha Fenestraz confirms his newfound ease in the series car No. 1 in Japan. “Since we changed the settings on Sunday at the Fuji race in July, the car has been much easier to drive, and I feel we have managed to close the gap to Sho (Tsuboi). I finally feel like I can perform at my best, which has also boosted my confidence. It's not perfect yet, but I think we're starting to see the right direction we're heading."

Although the race was completed, the required number of laps was not reached, and each driver was awarded only half the points. Tsuboi thus collected 9,5 points in total for qualifying and the final, allowing him to retain the overall lead. He is followed by Ayumu Iwasa (Mugen), who did not score a single point following a 10-place penalty for an engine change after qualifying. Race 2 was canceled due to the terrible weather, and organizers are considering adding a third race at the final meeting in Suzuka (November 22-23).

Super Formula

Fuji – Rankings

Race 1: 1. S. Fenestraz (Tom's), all 14 laps in 1h10'11″422, 2. S. Tsuboi (Tom's) at 2″2, 3. T. Nojiri (Mugen) at 6″6, 4. T. Makino (Dandelion Racing) at 10″7, 5. R. Sato (Nakajima Racing) at 13″6, 6. T. Oyu (Inging) at 15''2, 7. K. Ohta (Dandelion Racing) at 17″7, 8. I. Fraga (Nakajima Racing) at 21″1, 9. S. Sakaguchi (Inging) at 24″0, 10. K. Yamashita (Kondo Racing) at 27″1, etc. PP Fenestraz 1’33″967. MT: Nonaka 2’35″369.

Race 2: Cancelled due to weather conditions

Championships

Drivers: 1. Tsuboi 104,5 pts, 2. Ohta 90, 3. Iwasa 90, 4. Makino 81, 5. Nojiri 63,5, 6. Fenestraz 47, 7. Sakaguchi 34, 8. Fraga 33,5, 9. Sato 33, 10. Fukuzumi 28, etc.

Teams : 1. Dandelion Racing 155 pts, 2. Tom's 139,5, 3. Mugen 133, 4. Nakajima Racing 62,5, 5. Inging 51,5, 6. KCMG 50, 7. Kondo Racing 29,5, 8. Rookie 13, 9. B-Max 3.

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