Written by Tarun Suresh, Edited by Sasha Macmillen
Super Formula has finally returned to the calendar, and for the first time, the season starts with a double header (two races happening on the same weekend).
The season opens, as it often does, at the Honda playground; the Suzuka Circuit. Last year’s races saw some absolutely brilliant racing, including two amazing overtakes at 130R and there can be no doubt that the action is going to be just as spectacular this time around.
Last season ended with a double header at Suzuka, in which Kakunoshin Ohta won both races with a dominant showing at a calibre rarely seen in Super Formula. Without a doubt, he is going to be the favourite to win this race.
Tomoki Nojiri might not have had the best weekend the last time Super Formula came to this circuit, but among the entire grid, he is statistically still one of the best at Suzuka, winning four out of the past eleven races and two more podiums to boot.
It would be ludicrous not to include Sho Tsuboi in this discussion. While Ohta won the final two races in dominant fashion, Tsuboi was the one who finished second in both races in a Toyota-powered car at a circuit which favours the Honda powered cars. He was at the peak of his powers last season, and there’s no reason to assume he won’t be carrying the momentum into this season as well.
There are, of course, a few more drivers who should be considered. Ayumu Iwasa is still chasing his first win despite a few good shots at one last season. The returning Sacha Fenestraz might also have a shot at winning a race if the issues which plagued his predecessors are fixed, and judging by the basis of his testing times, these issues seem to have been resolved.
There are a handful of returning faces and rookies on the grid. The one who is under the spotlight is, of course, Sacha Fenestraz, who finished second in the standings the last time he was on the grid (way behind the champion Nojiri but impressive nonetheless). Atsushi Miyake and Mitsunori Takaboshi are also returning to the grid after a hiatus.
Former World Endurance Championship driver Oliver Rasmussen joins the grid. 2021 GB3 champion Zak O’Sullivan is making his debut this round as well. Reigning SF Lights champion Syun Koide will also be making his debut, as will the Brazilian Igor Omura Fraga.
This season is going to be an exciting one from start to finish and will no doubt have us at the edge of our seats.
My predictions for the season opener are:
Round 1: Nojiri
Round 2: Ohta
Championship: Makino
What are your predictions? Let us know in the comments!
Qualifying for round 1 starts at 9:50 AM local time (00:50 GMT/UTC) on Saturday. Qualifying for round 2 starts at 10:15 AM (01:15 GMT) on Sunday. The races commence at 14:40 (05:40 GMT) on both days.
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