Oliveira wins 2011 JAF GP Fuji Sprint Cup13/11/2011
FUJI SPEED WAY, SHIZUOKA Prefecture, Japan
JAF GP Fuji Sprint Cup
Formula Nippon
The JAF GP Fuji Sprint Cup took place at the Fuji Speed Way (11-13 November) and 70,700 spectators attended over all three days. JP de Oliveira (TEAM IMPUL) started from pole position and led from start to finish. He concluded the Formula Nippon season by winning this race.
Qualifying
It was a different system of qualifying from the regular series, whereby each driver’s points obtained for top speed and overall time were combined to determine the grid positions. Drivers were required to make the tyres warm in the damp conditions and the track temperature was low. Oliveira was the only driver timed at 1m 25s and he recorded 305 km/h to claim pole position. Kazuki Nakajima (PETRONAS TEAM TOM’S) qualified second and Hiroaki Ishiura (Team KIGNUS SUNOCO) third.
Race
Nakajima made a good start and he got into the first corner alongside Oliveira. He was on the outside and avoided a collision but had to slow up, allowing Ishiura through. Oliveira continued to lead, and managed his Bridgestone POTENZA tyres well. The Brazilian showed off his outstanding speed and led all laps to win. Ishiura finished second and Nakajima in third place.
Winning Driver
JP de Oliveira:
“I am very happy to win the end of season race. The car and tyres are fantastic. I would like to say thank you to Bridgestone for their support this year and I hope the fans at Fuji Speed Way enjoyed my race.”
Bridgestone senior technical advisor: Yasuo Teranishi
“It was a great race for Oliveira. A good set-up by TEAM IMPUL and Oliveira’s excellent drive resulted in a win. Bridgestone is proud to have had an involvement in the series throughout the 2011 season.”
