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F-Nippon / Super GT News
Formula Nippon Round 2 Race Report
16/05/2008
The second round of the Japanese Formula Nippon Championship took place on Sunday 11 May at the Suzuka circuit, with Tsugio Matsuda claiming his second win from two races in front of 28,000 excited spectators.
Qualifying conditions at the circuit were wet and unpredictable, though the 2007 Formula Nippon champion got off to a great start finishing first in Q1 with used Bridgestone rain tyres. For Q2 Matsuda switched to new Bridgestone tyres finishing in third and returned to used tyres in the final session, claiming pole position. Kondo Racing’s J.P. de Oliviera took second position with Benoit Treluyer, Lawson Team Impul, in third.
There was no sight of rain on race day, though heated on track battles led to numerous collisions and the safety car being deployed twice. Matsuda was quick off the start, though second place Oliviera lost positions due to a severe wheel spin, allowing Treluyer to overtake. Matsuda quickly built up a six second lead, though this advantage was reduced with the second outing of the safety car. Matsuda was able to maintain his position and claimed his second pole to flag win of the season.
Tsugio Matsuda – Lawson Team Impul, said:
“I made a good start and concentrated on creating a gap. During the middle of the race, the safety car came out and it was a good time to pit for tyres and refuel. After the second safety car outing, the gap I had created to the following pack was cancelled out but I made a good restart to win the race.”
Yasuo Teranishi - Bridgestone Senior technical adviser, said:
“In rainy and wet qualifying the team had to make a decision to use new tyres or used tyres. On race day it was fine but the team faced difficulty with the final set up as there was little data for dry track conditions. Winner Matsuda and his team had the perfect set up for the car and good tyre management for the win. We would like to say congratulations to them for the home win.”
Current standings see Matsuda dominating the championship with 32 points, followed by Kohei Hirate on 12, leading from Yuji Tachikawa and Treluyer also with 12 points, in third and fourth positions respectively.
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