Iwasa Claims First Super Formula Victory, Ignites Championship Battle
Iwasa's Masterclass: Dominance in Wet Conditions Reshapes Title Landscape
Iwasa's Breakthrough Victory at Sugo
In a compelling display of skill and resilience, Ayumu Iwasa clinched his first Super Formula victory at the wet Sugo circuit. This highly anticipated win, achieved after a year and a half of relentless effort, marks a significant turning point in his career and has reignited the championship chase. Iwasa showcased exceptional control, leading every one of the 48 laps despite multiple safety car interventions.
Fenestraz Secures Podium as Tsuboi Faces Challenge
Sacha Fenestraz, starting from second, skillfully converted his grid position into a strong second-place finish, marking his initial podium appearance since returning to Super Formula with TOM'S. Early in the race, Fenestraz attempted to challenge Iwasa for the lead at Turn 1 following the first safety car restart but was firmly repelled. He found no further opportunities to close the gap in subsequent restarts. Meanwhile, defending champion Sho Tsuboi, who spent a significant portion of the race in third after overtaking Sena Sakaguchi at the initial restart, ultimately lost his podium position to Nirei Fukuzumi on the penultimate lap.
Fukuzumi's Strategic Advance and Other Noteworthy Performances
Nirei Fukuzumi, from KCMG, climbed from his fifth starting position, strategically navigating the field. Despite momentarily losing ground to Igor Fraga after the second safety car period, Fukuzumi steadily regained momentum, eventually passing Fraga after six laps. His decisive move came in the final stages, capitalizing on a slight error by Tsuboi at the last corner to snatch third. Tsuboi settled for fourth, ahead of Sakaguchi and Igor Fraga of Nakajima Racing. Rookie Zak O’Sullivan delivered his best result of the season, finishing seventh for Kondo Racing, fending off Kakunoshin Ohta in the closing moments. Ohta's eighth-place finish, despite starting 16th, earned him crucial points, placing him eight points behind Tsuboi in the championship. Tadasuke Makino, Ohta's Dandelion Racing teammate, finished tenth, 21 points adrift in the standings.
Impact of Wet Conditions and Tyre Strategy
The persistent wet weather precluded mandatory pit stops, influencing strategic decisions across the grid. Only a few drivers opted for tire changes, and none managed to secure points through this gamble. Kamui Kobayashi's attempt to switch to slick tires proved ill-fated, causing him to lose significant time and finish 19th, more than a minute behind the leader. This highlights the risk and unpredictability introduced by the challenging conditions.