Electric Cars

Tsuboi's Triumph: A Masterclass at Fuji

Leading the Charge: Tsuboi's Early Ascent and Commanding Performance

Sho Tsuboi, representing the TOM's team, initiated his race from the second grid position. Despite narrowly missing out on pole to Tomoki Nojiri, Tsuboi showcased exceptional race craft, executing a decisive pass on Nojiri during the second lap of the 36-lap event. Following this pivotal overtake, Tsuboi systematically extended his lead, demonstrating remarkable control and speed throughout the competition.

Strategic Pit Stops and Tire Management: A Key to Victory

The race dynamic shifted with the mandatory pit stops. Nojiri made his stop on lap 11, briefly regaining the lead. However, Tsuboi's strategic decision to pit later, on lap 23, proved to be a masterstroke. Equipped with fresher tires, the TOM's driver quickly reasserted his dominance, leaving Nojiri with no answer to his renewed pace. Tsuboi ultimately crossed the finish line a commanding 6.7 seconds ahead of Nojiri, securing his seventh career win and his fourth consecutive victory at the Fuji circuit. This win also strengthens his prospects for an upcoming Formula 1 test with Haas, highlighting his burgeoning talent.

The Battle for the Podium: Iwasa's Charge and Fukuzumi's Resilience

Behind the leading duo, Ayumu Iwasa ensured a strong showing for Team Mugen by clinching third place. Iwasa's calculated pit stop on lap 21 allowed him to capitalize on superior tire performance, enabling him to overtake Nirei Fukuzumi of KCMG in the closing laps. Despite Iwasa's determined pursuit, he fell just half a second short of challenging his teammate Nojiri for second. Fukuzumi, battling through what has been a challenging season, managed to hold onto a commendable fourth place.

Mid-Pack Mayhem: Ohta and Kobayashi's Fiery Encounter

Further down the field, Tadasuke Makino, despite qualifying sixth, could only secure fifth for Dandelion Racing. His early pit stop on lap 10 offered a temporary advantage, allowing him to bypass some rivals, but ultimately wasn't enough to prevent Tsuboi from taking the championship lead. Makino's teammate, Kakunoshin Ohta, faced a more eventful race. Starting from 12th due to a track limits penalty in qualifying, Ohta struggled to make significant progress. His later pit stop left him entangled in a fierce duel with Kamui Kobayashi. The intense on-track battle culminated in contact at the final corner, resulting in a right-rear puncture for Kobayashi, forcing him into an unscheduled second pit stop and dropping him to the back of the field. Both drivers received black-and-white flags for their aggressive maneuvers, serving as a warning.

Championship Implications and Other Notables: The Road Ahead

With this victory, Tsuboi now holds an 11-point advantage over Ohta in the championship standings, with six races remaining in the season, including another event at Fuji on Sunday. Kazuya Oshima achieved his best result of the season with a sixth-place finish for Rookie Racing in his 100th start. The Inging pair of Sena Sakaguchi and Toshiki Oyu secured seventh and eighth positions, respectively. Among the international drivers, Igor Fraga (Nakajima Racing) finished ninth, holding off Ohta, while Sacha Fenestraz (TOM'S), Zak O'Sullivan (Kondo Racing), and Oliver Rasmussen (Team Impul) finished 13th, 14th, and 16th, respectively, highlighting a challenging day for the non-Japanese contingent.

Solberg's Surge: A Masterclass in Estonian Rallying Dominance!

Oliver Solberg's Unstoppable Morning Run in Estonia

Oliver Solberg, marking his return to the prestigious Rally1 class after a two-year hiatus, delivered a tour de force on Saturday morning at Rally Estonia. The young driver, paired with co-driver Elliott Edmondson, conquered three of the four early stages, impressively pushing his lead from 12.4 seconds to a formidable 22.8 seconds over Hyundai's Ott Tanak. Solberg's consistent top-tier pace, yielding six stage victories out of twelve so far, has undeniably solidified his position as the one to beat, even as he humbly acknowledged not every run was flawless. His ability to outperform more seasoned Rally1 contenders speaks volumes about his burgeoning talent and composure under pressure.

Tanak's Struggle to Reclaim Ground Amidst Errors

Ott Tanak, Hyundai's formidable contender, began Saturday's loop with aspirations of narrowing Solberg's lead. However, fate had other plans. In the demanding Raanitsa stage (21.45 km), a pair of critical errors, including misjudged braking points and an overshoot at a chicane that momentarily stalled his vehicle, cost him precious time. These missteps relegated him to third place, briefly behind teammate Thierry Neuville. While Tanak valiantly fought back, regaining second position in stage 12 despite battling dust ingress from a broken window, the morning's struggles highlight the unforgiving nature of rally racing where even minor errors can have significant consequences.

Chasing Pack's Performance and WRC2 Standings

Further down the field, the competition remained fierce. Two-time world champion Kalle Rovanpera found himself adrift from the podium battle, concluding the morning loop 17.6 seconds behind Neuville. Rovanpera openly expressed his dissatisfaction with his Toyota GR Yaris, struggling to find a comfortable setup on a rally he has historically dominated. Meanwhile, the contest for fifth place saw a close tussle between Hyundai's Adrien Fourmaux and Toyota's Takamoto Katsuta, with Fourmaux ultimately securing the advantage by a mere 2.8 seconds. Championship leader Elfyn Evans maintained his seventh position but lost ground to Katsuta. In the WRC2 category, Estonia's Robert Virves commanded a comfortable 31.9-second lead over his compatriot Georg Linnamae, setting a strong pace in their respective class. The rally promises an exciting conclusion with four more stages and a super special event scheduled for the evening.