In a Super Formula race that defied expectation and descended into an extraordinary spectacle of high-speed drama and championship-altering collisions, Ayumu Iwasa finally ended his win drought at Fuji Speedway, while championship leader Kakunoshin Ohta’s aspirations of an early title coronation evaporated amidst a series of ill-fated contacts. This report, courtesy of sportsamo.com, details the thrilling and tumultuous second race weekend at Fuji, which has irrevocably reshaped the Super Formula championship narrative.
The air at Fuji Speedway on Sunday was thick with anticipation, not just for another thrilling contest, but for the potential crowning of a new champion. Kakunoshin Ohta, piloting his distinctive Dandelion Racing machine, arrived with a commanding lead in the Super Formula standings, carrying the hopes of securing the prestigious title with two races still remaining on the calendar. To achieve this monumental feat, the mathematical permutations were clear: Ohta realistically needed to outperform his closest rival and Saturday’s victor, Igor Fraga, of Nakajima Racing. What unfolded, however, was a relentless 41-lap gladiatorial battle that will be etched into Super Formula lore, ultimately seeing Ohta’s aggressive championship charge unravel in spectacular fashion.
The iconic Fuji Speedway, renowned for its colossal 1.5-kilometer main straight and challenging technical sections, was set to test the mettle of every driver. Its demanding layout, particularly the rapid Turn 3 and the downhill Turn 10, often provides fertile ground for overtakes and, regrettably, for flashpoints. From the moment the lights went out, the race was a ballet of aggression and precision. Polesitter Fraga, eager to convert his grid advantage into another victory, found himself immediately under pressure. It was Ayumu Iwasa, the Red Bull-backed prodigy from Team Mugen, who seized the initiative, executing a brilliant move on the opening lap to snatch the lead from Fraga. Ohta, sensing the shifting dynamics and the imperative to stay ahead of his championship rival, mirrored Iwasa’s aggression, skillfully clearing Fraga for second place by lap four. The early stages hinted at a controlled, strategic affair, with the championship contenders establishing their positions at the sharp end.
However, the tranquility was short-lived. The first ripple of chaos emerged with an early safety car deployment. The incident involved Yuto Nomura and Toshiki Oyu, whose contact forced Nomura to halt on track, necessitating intervention. This initial disruption served as a mere prelude to the pandemonium that would soon engulf the race. Following the restart, the lead order remained stable, but the mandatory pit stop window loomed large, a strategic chessboard where fortunes could be made or lost. Ohta, aiming to maintain his track position, pitted on lap 17. Yet, the strategic gamble of an earlier stop by Oyu paid dividends, as the Cerumo/Inging driver executed a textbook undercut, emerging ahead of Ohta.
The immediate aftermath of the pit stops ignited the first major championship flashpoint. As Ohta and Oyu jostled for position into Turn 3 – a notoriously fast right-hander demanding commitment and precision – contact was made. Oyu’s car was sent into a spin, a heart-stopping moment that he remarkably recovered from, continuing the race albeit with lost time. Ohta, seemingly unscathed, pressed on. However, the momentary delay proved costly. Fraga, having extended his stint and capitalizing on the clear air, executed a masterful overcut, emerging from his pit stop at the end of the following lap crucially ahead of the championship leader.
The pressure on Ohta ratcheted up exponentially. With Fraga now ahead and the championship title slipping from his grasp, desperation began to creep into his driving. Knowing that every point, every position, was critical, Ohta launched an ambitious lunge at Fraga into the downhill Turn 10 right-hander. It was a high-risk, high-reward maneuver, but the Dandelion driver ran wide, sacrificing precious momentum and failing to make the move stick. Undeterred, but perhaps fueled by a growing sense of urgency, Ohta made another audacious bid for an overtake just a few corners later, at the unorthodox location of Turn 15. This time, the contact was undeniable and catastrophic. Ohta clattered into the side of Fraga’s machine, eliminating himself from the race on the spot and leaving the Brazilian’s car with significant left-side damage. The championship leader’s early title hopes had, quite literally, gone up in smoke in a dramatic and self-inflicted incident, underscoring the razor-thin margins and immense pressure of championship racing.
The wreckage from the Ohta-Fraga collision triggered another safety car period, leading to a frantic rush to the pit lane for those cars that had yet to complete their mandatory stops. What followed was a chaotic scene that highlighted the inherent dangers of overcrowded pit lanes under compressed circumstances. Rookie Racing’s Nirei Fukuzumi was released directly into the path of Luke Browning, the Williams Formula 1 reserve driver making his Super Formula debut. Browning, forced to slow in avoidance, was then rear-ended by Syun Koide, whose Kondo Racing car was spun and lodged precariously between Fukuzumi and Koide. To compound the mayhem, Rikuto Kobayashi then piled into the back of Koide, creating a multi-car pile-up that brought the pit lane to a standstill and necessitated an extended safety car period for marshals to meticulously clear the debris. The incident was a stark reminder of how quickly a race can unravel, even off the main track.
When the green flag finally waved on lap 25, signaling the resumption of racing, Iwasa held a commanding lead. Behind him, Nobuharu Matsushita of Delightworks Racing had quietly navigated the chaos, climbing from sixth place before the pit stops into an impressive second. Zak O’Sullivan, another F1-affiliated talent and Williams reserve, who had started third but slipped to fifth in the early skirmishes, was also in the podium hunt. However, the race’s appetite for drama was not yet sated. Almost immediately, the safety car was deployed for a third time. This time, it was Sho Tsuboi, whose brakes seemingly failed, ploughing into the back of the fourth-placed Kenta Yamashita. The impact was significant, further delaying the race and tightening the nerves of every driver and team principal.
Finally, on lap 32, the race resumed for its conclusive sprint to the finish. Ayumu Iwasa, the young prodigy, executed a flawless restart, his Team Mugen machine launching perfectly. It was a moment of redemption for Iwasa, who had endured a "difficult title defense" season, marked by strong qualifying performances but a frustrating lack of outright victories. This win, his first of the year, was not only personally significant but also served as a powerful statement of intent. It underscored his resilience and raw talent, reminding everyone why he is so highly regarded in the Red Bull junior program. While Iwasa pulled away, the battle for the remaining podium positions raged fiercely, coming down to the very final laps.
Zak O’Sullivan, representing Team Impul, found himself demoted to fifth behind a resurgent Oyu and Tadasuke Makino at the restart. However, showcasing the tenacity and race craft that has marked his impressive career, the British driver rapidly clawed his way back. Within five blistering laps, O’Sullivan had repassed both Makino and Oyu, setting his sights firmly on Matsushita for second place. The climax of this battle arrived on the very last lap. O’Sullivan, displaying a blend of aggression and precision, launched a decisive move at the Turn 13 right-hander, nudging Matsushita wide in the process to seize second place. Despite the robust nature of the overtake, stewards deemed it a legitimate racing incident, allowing O’Sullivan to secure a well-deserved podium. Post-race, O’Sullivan revealed that this impressive performance would mark his Super Formula swansong, as prior commitments to Formula E pre-season testing would prevent him from contesting the Suzuka finale. His strong showing was a fitting send-off, highlighting his adaptability and talent across different high-level racing series.
Nobuharu Matsushita’s third-place finish was a significant achievement for Delightworks Racing, marking their second podium in what is their maiden season in Super Formula. It speaks volumes about the team’s rapid development and Matsushita’s experience. Toshiki Oyu, despite his earlier spin, recovered admirably to finish fourth, demonstrating his speed and fighting spirit. Sacha Fenestraz, driving for TOM’S, demoted Tadasuke Makino of Dandelion Racing late in the race to secure fifth, with Makino finishing sixth.
The remaining points-paying positions saw Tomoki Nojiri (Mugen), a multiple Super Formula champion, finish seventh, continuing what has been a challenging season by his usual high standards. Charlie Wurz (Team Goh) secured eighth, while Giuliano Alesi (KCMG), son of former F1 star Jean Alesi, finally broke his duck for the year, scoring his first points in ninth. Nirei Fukuzumi rounded out the top ten.
The dramatic events at Fuji have undeniably reshaped the Super Formula championship landscape. Ayumu Iwasa’s crucial victory elevates him to the position of Kakunoshin Ohta’s primary challenger, replacing the luckless Igor Fraga. However, Iwasa still faces a formidable 33.5-point deficit. With a maximum of 46 points available at the upcoming Suzuka finale, the championship battle is far from over. Ohta, despite his Fuji misfortune, still holds a significant advantage, but the psychological blow of his self-elimination and the resurgent form of Iwasa will make the final race a pressure cooker. The stage is now set for a thrilling conclusion at Suzuka next month, promising another chapter in what has been an unforgettable Super Formula season.
