Fukuzumi secured his second Super Formula win of the season after a late safety‑car incident reshuffled the leaderĺs list on the 51‑lap Sugo course.
Fukuzumi Claims Victory Amid Safety Car Chaos
The rookie seized a 0.505‑second advantage on the final restart, staying ahead of reigning champion Iwasa and former champion Fraga.
The safety car sounded on lap 27 when Sena Sakaguchi and Roman Stanek collided, forcing many competitors to defect at different times.
Safety Car Decision Skews Final Standings
While Fraga limped out of the pits, Mugen teammates Fukuzumi and Ayumu Iwasa stayed on track, avoiding the regrouping sequence and gaining a crucial advantage at the 28th‑lap stop.
Those who pitted before the restart fought to regain lost time, but the wave‑by slowed the pack, giving the three front runners a clear 48‑second sprint.
Standings and Points Reactions
Ohta overtook Nojiiri on the first lap after the restart to finish fourth and narrow his 45.5‑point lead.
Nojiiri placed fifth ahead of Tadasuke Makino, and the TOM’S duo of Sho Tsuboi and Sacha Fenestraz captured the remaining top‑six spots.
Zak O’Sullivan (Team Impul) and Ren Sato (Nakajima Racing) announced the trailing points, while the opening practice saw Luke Browning stumble twice before ending 11th.
Controversy and Reactions from Drivers
Fraga, after failing to mount a challenge on the restart, voiced anger in his parc ferme interview, claiming the result was invalid.
Stanek, battling fever, qualified 15th for Buzz MK Racing but lost the race after a gravel incident at Rainbow corner.
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