KC Motorgroup Ltd. (KCMG) rounded off Super Formula’s fifth event with significant progress after Yuichi Nakayama completed a tricky 46-lap assault at Autopolis Circuit over the weekend. The Japanese driver demonstrated competitive pace and was setting impressive lap times before he crossed the finish line in sixteenth place during Sunday’s race.
Nakayama’s baptism of fire in the Toyota-powered Dallara SF14 on Autopolis’ undulating layout saw him yield varied results throughout the weekend. After completing Saturday’s Free Practice 1 in eighteenth position, Super Formula’s three-stage qualifying run saw the Japanese driver get knocked out in the first session. This resulted in a sixteenth-place grid position for the race.
Unfazed, Nakayama returned the following day and went on to complete the final practice session in thirteenth place. Meanwhile, the Hong Kong-based team was braced for an intense battle that restricted refueling during pit stops throughout the 220km race.
Super Formula’s fifth round witnessed Nakayama gain ground and move up three places from his sixteenth-place start for several laps. Unfortunately, he lost control of the car on Lap 17 and spun off track at Turn 14. True to form, the 2013 Japanese F3 champion recovered and pushed hard to regain his position but had to settle for a sixteenth place finish after the thrilling 46-lap challenge.
Yuichi Nakayama: “We were aiming for a better result since the car’s set-up was really good and we had excellent race pace. The mistake I made during the race cost us valuable time on the track, but still, I’m happy with the progress that we made at Autopolis. I’d like to thank everyone who came to support the team. It was an awesome event and I can’t wait to be back in a two week’s time at Sportsland Sugo.”
Ryuji Doi, KCMG Japan General Manager: “The Autopolis round is considered as one of the most difficult races in the Super Formula calendar and I’m glad that we finished. We had good race pace and despite the complex challenge of this round, our strategy worked really well. We head to Sugo with renewed hopes that we can complete the last two races of the season in the championship points.”
To know more about Super Formula, please visit: www.superformula.net
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