"We are not as fast": Toshiki Oyu on fourth place finish at Fuji and remaining Fuji rounds

Credit: Super Formula

Cerumo·Inging have been having a breakthrough season in Super Formula so far and are currently second in the standings owing to consistent points finishes from both their drivers, the most recent standout performance being Toshiki Oyu’s fourth place finish in Round 6 held at Fuji.

Oyu spoke to DIVEBOMB following his drive in Round 6.

Oyu started Round 6 from the front row after an impressive second place qualifying in wet weather, something he owes to being amongst the last to go on a push lap in drying conditions. He was briefly in provisional pole but was usurped by Zak O’Sullivan, who started the lap just a few seconds later.

“Our strategy went exactly how we had planned, so the attack timing and all that, so we knew that we would be able to get that last lap. Regarding Zak, who took pole position, well, I think he risked it but was lucky to have achieved the pole position. We were very comfortable with our strategy, and we were almost sure that we would have achieved pole position. He took a bigger risk, but he was able to pull it off.”

During the race, he couldn’t get past O’Sullivan at the start, and O’Sullivan used the clean air to his advantage, steadily pulling ahead of Oyu. Oyu held on to second for a vast majority of the opening stint but couldn’t keep up with the pace of the Dandelion Racing cars and found himself in no man’s land in fourth after his pit stop, where he remained until the chequered flag.

“I think we could have done something with the start, but we didn't have enough performance, so I don't think the finishing order would have changed. I think being at the podium would have been difficult for us this race. I think our strategy was not good enough and the car performance was not good enough to have achieved a podium position.”

Credit: Super Formula

During the race, Oyu’s pace dropped significantly in the latter part of his stint, an issue not endemic to this race and one that occurred most notably during Round 2 at Motegi.

“I was struggling with the balance of the car and how I was using the tyres. Well, the tyres presently, the Super Formula tyres, the longevity is very long, so we don't really have issues with the loss of grip. However, when the reduction of the grip comes during the race, I think we were not able to create a car balance that would be able to handle the tyre, to manage the tyre.

“I think that is a key point to keep the good performance until the end of the race. I think that is a key point that we have to work on. It is towards the middle or end of the race when the tyre's grip drops a bit, so how do we balance the car in order to keep the pace? It's something that we struggle with, that we haven't found a way of overcoming yet.”

In the first of the two races tomorrow, Round 3, the replacement round for the cancelled race at Autopolis, Oyu starts 11th. Since the race is less than 150 km long and will only last 25 laps, it is classified as a sprint, and there will be no mandatory pit stops.

Oyu shares his expectations for the race: “I think the start and the opening lap will be very important, but today we started in a good position, and that is why I was able to finish in 4th position. I think for tomorrow's race, the midfield is strong, and we are not as fast as many of the cars that are in the midfield. So, anyway, we have to keep a good performance, but I'm not sure that we'll be able to keep up.”

Round 3 goes green at 10:05 JST tomorrow with Round 7 later that day at 15:35 JST. Oyu will be starting from 12th in that race.