Ayumu Iwasa captured Fuji’s second Super Formula race, ending a two‑week winless streak while his rival, Kakunoshin Ohta, dashed his title hopes after colliding with Igor Fraga.
Victory for Iwasa
The opening lap saw Iwasa slalom past pole‑sitters and race leaders to seize the checkered flag. Forming a tight nine‑car finish, Iwasa’s runners‑up were Zak O’Sullivan, Nobuharu Matsushita, and Tadasuke Oyu, all content with podiums after frantic numbering at the front.
Despite a final‑lap overtake on the right‑handed Turn 13 that nudged Matsushita wide, Iwasa preserved his lead under the steely hands of the team’s banter, delivering a first victory under what pre‑season tests described as a difficult title defence.
Ohta’s Title Gamble Collapses
Going into 41 laps, Ohta appeared poised to clinch the championship with a finish ahead of Fraga. He cleared Yuto Nomura at the start, letting Fraga reach the lead after the first safety car launched by a collision between Nomura and Toshiki Oyu. Yet subsequent pit‑stop timing and an early‑stopping stop by Oyu produced an over‑cut that stole the advantage from Ohta after the mandatory stop at lap 17.
Seeking redemption, Ohta pursued an aggressive overtake on the downhill Turn 10, then attempted a risky manoeuvre at the unusual Turn 15 spot. He clipped Fraga’s side, shredding a left‑side into a plague of damage that ended on track for Ohta outright. The collision solidified the end of Ohta’s season, leaving Igor Fraga in firm possession of the title.
Safety Car Chaos Shakes Order
On laps 20–25, a cluster of incidents—a rear‑end impact between Luke Browning and rookie Nirei Fukuzumi, a subsequent collision that diverted Syun Koide, and attacking Rikuto Kobayashi—drained the race into a lengthy safety car. Even Sho Tsuboi’s faltering brakes cut the track at the back of fourth‑place Kenta Yamashita, triggering a second caution after the crews cleared a jammed Kondo Kondo too.
That chaos allowed O’Sullivan to reclaim fifth after a close three‑lap recovery, then sprint past both Oyu and Makino during the final stint to finish in third. Kondo’s bay‑entry pivot and Mugen’s swift pit work ensured that the final four positions were contested by a hard‑knocked group of drivers, with Sacha Fenestraz and Tomoki Nojiri finishing off the score‑scoring band.
Championship Implications
With Fraga now champion, Iwasa becomes the nearest rival to Ohta in the standings, trailing by a 33.5‑point deficit and positioned with 46 championship points still in contention at Suzuka next month. Zak O’Sullivan announced that this would be his last appearance in Super Formula, opting for Formula E instead as pre‑season commitments preclude any participation in the subsequent drive.
All these events underscored a season that has blurred the line between clear triumphs and unpredictable reversals—a reality that will pervade the remaining fixtures as teams press on for the undefeated title.
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