Official TEST Report 2020/8/28 2nd Official test

2020 Super Formula whose opening has been delayed under the influence by COVID-19 finally starts on Aug 29 adopting the new race format which is Qualifying and Race will be held the same day. Just before the opening, Official Test was held at Twin Ring Motegi. For the first drive in 5 months, DOCOMO TEAM prepared the test program considering Motegi’s course in midsummer. Both Yamamoto and Fukuzumi executed the program steadily. Yamamoto marked the fastest lap of 1 min 35 seconds’ first. Then, right after Fukuzumi exceeded it, Yamamoto broke Fukuzumi’s lap time. They showed that they were in shape. During each car’s time attack at the end of the session, the orders changed rapidly. Yamamoto finished in third place and Fukuzumi ended up in fifth. It was a short but fruitful test since they could collect data for the season opener.

#5: Naoki Yamamoto Position 3rd overall (1st among users) I drove SF machine for the first time in 5 months. Since I ‘ve been doing physical training and having a teleconference with my team frequently, I didn't feel anything uncomfortable about driving. This season, race distance is short and there is no pit stop basically, so QF position becomes more important. The base setup of my car is good, and I will prepare for the season opener tomorrow under this favorable condition.

#6: Position 5th overall (3rd among Honda users) My first impression was that the SF machine was fast and fun! Thanks to lots of fans, those who support us and cooperation among the relevant parties, we will enter the 2020 season tomorrow. I am so happy that we can race. Twin Ring Motegi has the which is hard to overtake. Without a pit stop, race strategies are limited and thus, QF will be very important. We will analyze the test results to drive faster for tomorrow.

Qualifying Report 2020/8/30 Rd-１ Twin Ring MOTEGI Weather：Fine Temperature：36℃ 19cars

As a preventive measure against COVID-19, 2020 Super Formula decided to hold Qualifying and Race the same day. Two-group format was introduced in Knock-out QF1. Yamamoto who was in Group A went on track on the green light. After checking tires and warming up his car, we came into the pits for new tires and waited for the right timing. Going back on track with 3 min remaining, he started to attack on the first lap unlike other drivers. Even though he was caught in the slow traffic in the last sector, he took the lead recording 1’31”895. In the end, one car exceeded that time and he moved on to QF2 in 2nd position. Fukuzumi in Group B took the same strategy as Yamamoto. Doing a check-run on the green light, he went on track in the last 4 min, and attacked on the first lap. He made it to QF2 with the fastest lap of 1’31”440. In following QF2, since the 14 cars attacked in a 7-minute session, the on-track timing was the key. As for QF1, two cars of DOCOMO TEAM DANDELION RACING took a check-lap, and with less than 3 min left, they started to attack on the first lap while two other drivers were attacking on their second lap. However, it ended up backfiring. Yamamoto and Fukuzumi came up with the two drivers, and could not quicken their pace. Fukuzumi in 9th place and Yamamoto in 14th place did not make it to QF3.

#5: Naoki Yamamoto Position 14th (QF1 Grp A 2nd, QF2 14th) 4th among Honda users I had a good feeling in QF1, and went into QF2 with confidence. I am very disappointed that I couldn’t warm up my tires enough and finished in QF2 without using my full ability and my car’s. It's easy to be wise after the event, but I should have coped flexibly with the strategy for a different result. This is a future task. It will be pretty tough to start from the 14th grid in the race without a pit-stop tomorrow. I will do my best with the total team capabilities to earn as many points as possible.

#6: Nirei Fukuzumi Position 9th (QF1 Grp B 1st, QF2 9th) 2nd among Honda users My car was completed when I started driving, and I was confident to finish QF in the top group. I was struggling with the tires a little, however, by choosing to attack on the first lap, I finished in the first place. In QF2, I couldn’t find a clear lap, so I couldn’t show my substantial ability. It will be a sprint-race tomorrow. I will make a good start, and compete actively for 35 laps to finish in the top group.