J-P de Oliveira takes his first Formula Nippon win of 201107/08/2011
Twin Ring Motegi, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan
Formula Nippon Round 4
The fourth round of the Japanese Formula Nippon Championship took place at Twin Ring Motegi on Sunday 7 August and 11,000 spectators were at the venue on race day. J-P de Oliveira (TEAM IMPUL) was on pole position, and led from start to finish enabling him to take the perfect win. Andre Lotterer (PETRONAS TEAM TOM’S) finished second and Kazuki Nakajima (PETRONAS TEAM TOM’S) finished third.
Qualifying
de Oliveira set the pace during Saturday’s morning free practice and he took pole position in the qualifying session. The winner of the last round, Lotterer qualified in second and Koudai Tsukakoshi (DOCOMO TEAM DANDELION RACING) was sitting in third position on the grid for race day.
Race
At the start line, de Oliveira got away slowing but he managed to keep his position at the front and got into the first corner followed by Lotterer, then he led all the way to the chequered flag. To make a pit stop was required twice and you had to change all tyres each time. The Brazilian driver made every pit stop without mistakes. He set the fastest lap time in the middle of the race and stayed away from Lotterer, who was pushing hard to overtake. It was the perfect race for de Oliveira’s first win this year.
Winning Driver
J-P de Oliveira: “It was a tough race. Thanks to the team, Toyota and Bridgestone. Andre (Lotterer) put pressure on me all the time and I got my braking wrong in final part of the race. I am happy to have kept my position and that I was able to win.”
Bridgestone senior technical advisor: Yasuo Teranishi
“Keeping at the front of the field from the start was the reason for de Oliveira’s win at a circuit where it is difficult to overtake. The team employed an excellent strategy which meant he used his tyres for a minimum number of laps in qualifying to keep them for the race. We, Bridgestone, again supported some great racing that spectators were thrilled to watch from start to finish.”
