F1 snore-fest shows new cars badly needed: Up/Down Japanese GP
The 2025 Japanese GP showed a much more extreme change than next year's technical regulations is needed to make racing at classic F1 tracks interesting
Kazuki Nakajima’s 2017 has started in fine fashion.
The former Formula 1 racer added victory in the opening round of Super Formula from Suzuka to his win at Silverstone in the 6 Hours, beating Naoki Yamamoto and reigning champion Yuji Kunimoto. Andre Lotterer managed fifth as the best of the Europeans, while debutants Pierre Gasly and Felix Rosenqvist claimed 10th and 11th – the former enjoying a good battle with Kamui Kobayashi.
Nakajima’s pole time was just 0.8sec slower than the fastest race lap in the 2016 Japanese Grand Prix, underlining the speed the spec Dallara SF14 cars are able to produce.
Watch highlights of the opening round (with Japanese commentary) below.
Former Nissan motor sport boss Darren Cox explained the magic of Super Formula in the June issue of Motor Sport, available now in the app or on the shop.
The championship has in recent years become home to many of sports cars best, not least Tom Kristensen during his career. The Dane spoke of his time in Japan during his recent Royal Automobile Talk Show podcast.
The 2025 Japanese GP showed a much more extreme change than next year's technical regulations is needed to make racing at classic F1 tracks interesting
Max Verstappen looks set to be pitched into a hectic, high-stakes battle for F1 victories in 2025, between at least four teams. How will fans react if he resorts to his trademark strongman tactics?
Red Bull has a new team-mate for Max Verstappen in 2025 – punchy F1 firebrand Liam Lawson could finally be the raw racer it needs in the second seat
The 2024 F1 season was one of the wildest every seen, for on-track action and behind-the-scenes intrigue – James Elson predicts how 2025 could go even further