Only Tsunoda can save F1 in 2025: Japan GP – Going up, going down
In the face of soul-destroying boredom, only one driver can bring the entertainment needed to rescue a sport which resembles a broken AI tribute to itself
Kazuki Nakajima’s 2017 has started in fine fashion.
The former Formula 1 racer added victory in the opening round of Super Formula from Suzuka to his win at Silverstone in the 6 Hours, beating Naoki Yamamoto and reigning champion Yuji Kunimoto. Andre Lotterer managed fifth as the best of the Europeans, while debutants Pierre Gasly and Felix Rosenqvist claimed 10th and 11th – the former enjoying a good battle with Kamui Kobayashi.
Nakajima’s pole time was just 0.8sec slower than the fastest race lap in the 2016 Japanese Grand Prix, underlining the speed the spec Dallara SF14 cars are able to produce.
Watch highlights of the opening round (with Japanese commentary) below.
Former Nissan motor sport boss Darren Cox explained the magic of Super Formula in the June issue of Motor Sport, available now in the app or on the shop.
The championship has in recent years become home to many of sports cars best, not least Tom Kristensen during his career. The Dane spoke of his time in Japan during his recent Royal Automobile Talk Show podcast.
In the face of soul-destroying boredom, only one driver can bring the entertainment needed to rescue a sport which resembles a broken AI tribute to itself
Waking up at 4am on a Sunday is rarely worth it, especially when Max Verstappen looks poised to take another lights out to chequered flag victory — as he did…
Should there be a new prize for a team finishing sixth in the championship – just like the Jim Clark Trophy in the good old turbo times?
Sebastian Vettel is set to test a Porsche 963 Hypercar, having already been linked with a Le Mans drive. But would his return really add that much to the world of racing?