MUGEN

2013.11.27

Yamamoto takes 5th position at JAF GP!

Series name: JAF Grand Prix SUPER GT & SUPER FORMULA FUJI SPRINT CUP 2013
Course: 4.563km × 22 laps (100.386km)
Qualifying: 2013-11-23 Sat / Fine / Attendance 23,000 (Announcement from the organizer)
Race: 2013-11-24 Sun / Fine / Attendance 39,000 (Announcement from the organizer)

JAF Grand Prix Fuji Sprint Cup was held at Fuji Speed Way in Shizuoka prefecture as a special event outside the regular series races. Team MUGEN entered the race with two drivers, #16 Naoki Yamamoto and #15 Takuma Sato.

A 30 minute free practice session was followed by a qualifying session with the starting grid order determined by the lap times set during the 25 minute qualifying session.

The #16 machine of Yamamoto proudly carried the mark of the Series Championship winner on the car's nose.

November 23rd, (Sat)

■   Qualifying session
#16 Naoki Yamamoto 8th position (1:23.205)
#15 Takuma Sato 19th position (1:27.741)

The 25 minute qualifying session started at 11:55 am, and for the two Team MUGEN drivers this was divided into 2 time attack sessions. #16 Yamamoto broke the then current course record with a lap time of 1:23.361 during the first half session, while #15 Sato had to return to the pit with mechanical issues.

With 7 minutes remaining in the qualifying session a number of machines returned to the course for a last attack, and #16 Yamamoto bettered his previous time with a lap of 1:23.205 to sit in 2nd position. However, other machines also set their best lap times late in the session and #16 Yamamoto finally qualified 8th on the grid for the race.

With engine mechanical issues that could not be resolved in the time available #15 Sato was unfortunate to finish the Qualifying session in last position.

November 24th, (Sun)

■   Race
#16 Naoki Yamamoto 5th position (22 laps 31:31.764 / Best lap 1:55.016)
#15 Takuma Sato 14th position (22 lpas 31:57.910 / Best lap 1:55.088)

At 12:45, under good weather conditions, the Super Formula race started. The issues with the #15 Sato machine had been traced to electrical faults and the problem was identified and resolved just before the race, with Sato having to confirm the condition of his machine and engine on the warm up lap.

#16 Yamamoto made an excellent start from 8th up to 6th position and then passed another machine at Dunlop Corner on the 2nd lap to take over 5th position.

A 22 lap sprint race does not present enough time to wait for other machines to exhaust their tires, and the wake when following other cars causes the car to lose downforce, so even though continually looking for an opportunity to overtake the other cars in the leading group, #16 Yamamoto finally completed the race in 5th.

#15 Sato also made a good start to jump up to 15th and then 14th position, by the 2nd lap. Sato also tried hard to overtake the car in front, but eventually took the flag in 14th position.

■ Comments from the team director Tezuka

I am glad that Yamamoto took a great opportunity to join this race as the series champion, and Sato also had chance to show thanks to the MUGEN and Honda fans.

We did our best to show “Champion Speed” at Fuji Speed Way, but we got unfortunate results from the qualifying session. The machine setting was pretty good, as was those of the other machines. I think Yamamoto drove a well-organized race, however there were unfortunate engine electrical troubles on the # 15 Sato machine, but he brought a satisfying result from where he started. Overtaking was difficult for both drivers with less rear down force than the machines in front.

Sato did not just join to Team MUGEN during his return tips to and from the U.S.A, but is also deeply involved in developing the machines. We cannot deny the fact that Sato's contribution to Team MUGEN greatly influenced to Yamamoto's Championship, and Yamamoto was able to make it. I would like express appreciation for the great effort and support from Team staff, Honda and related companies, and M-TEC employees in enabling us to achieve our target.

We have already made a start toward next season and we will again do our best to repeat the success of this year.
Thank you all very much for your support.

♦ Photo Gallery (JAF GP)