113 replies to this topic

[juicy sushi]

So, I cannot find a 2022 thread for the series, which is fitting as being taken off youtube seems to have killed the attention being given to the series, even if access to it is still free (I think?).

 

Anyway, they've been making an effort to both improve the racing and the environmental friendliness of the series simultaneously, and seem to have settled on a solution for next year which does both:  https://www.motorspo...y-air/10356945/

 

50% less wake turbulence, 8-10% less overall downforce, greener tires, hemp bodywork, more sustainable fuel.  All worthy changes to basically the same car.  These should be things which really improves a product which no one is going to see since it's not at all easy to find.

 

[William Hunt]

You can still watch the races....if you pay for it. It's a great racing series, sadly behind paywall now.

[SB]

The wet race in Motegi last weekend was interesting and exciting. Watching Alesi (jr) racing reminded me his dad in the wet in the "good old" days , a great show to display drivers' skill and courage (or some time lack of it)

 

I wondered how long I have not watched something like that in F1 -- F1 would just send out safety car or red flag the race in similar weather conditions.

[pacificquay]

I just wish SF would have some more rounds, maybe 12.

 

7 weekends is too few.

[juicy sushi]

So, the 2023 car has officially debuted, with the new bodywork that cuts downforce 15%, and reduces wake turbulence by nearly 50%, they claim.  It looks very similar to some of the changes Indycar and F1 made (with perhaps the front more like F1, and the back more like Indycar).  Hopefully it will have the intended effect, but we'll only get 7 races to find out (it's a really small calendar next year).

 

https://www.motorspo...-test/10390518/

 

[Myrvold]

but we'll only get 7 races to find out (it's a really small calendar next year).

 

That's not 100% confirmed is it? 7 weekends, but like this year, there might be double headers.

[juicy sushi]

The official calendar seems to only indicate 7 weekends, but does not specify any double headers:

 

https://superformula...n/2022/08/9274/

 

So, I guess, maybe?  But as of right now, they're not saying there are any.

[danmills]

Maybe we will see some F2 stars mingle multi formulae given how sparse the calendar is.

Pourchaire? Lawson?

[RA2]

Too bad this series would not survive a trip to south Asia

 

1. Korea - Yeong am

2. China - Zhuhai

3. China - Chengdu

4. Macau - Guai

5. Vietnam - Hanoi Street Circuit

6. Thailand - Buriram

7. Malaysia - Sepang

8. Indonesia - Mandalika

9. Singapore - Marina Bay

 

They could also consider a trip down under, to Gold Coast, Adelaide, Melbourne. 

Edited by RA2, 27 October 2022 - 06:52.

[JvsKVB77]

Too bad this series would not survive a trip to south Asia

 

1. Korea - Yeong am

2. China - Zhuhai

3. China - Chengdu

4. Macau - Guai

5. Vietnam - Hanoi Street Circuit

6. Thailand - Buriram

7. Malaysia - Sepang

8. Indonesia - Mandalika

9. Singapore - Marina Bay

There are more interesting track in South Korea Inje Speedium. Lihpao International Circuit at Taiwan. Macau is not have enough category, i think, for such fast cars. Would be nice if SuperFormula can be with F1 at Shanghai and Singapore. And in Japan they does not use Tokachi Speedway, not bad circuit too. But, of course, all this not very possible because of double duty of most teams and drivers with Super GT. 

[RA2]

There are more interesting track in South Korea Inje Speedium. Lihpao International Circuit at Taiwan. Macau is not have enough category, i think, for such fast cars. Would be nice if SuperFormula can be with F1 at Shanghai and Singapore. And in Japan they does not use Tokachi Speedway, not bad circuit too. But, of course, all this not very possible because of double duty of most teams and drivers with Super GT. 

 

 

They can also have Super GT  travel with them.

[juicy sushi]

The JAF seem to feel that it is best to have a split card of Super GT events and Super Formula events alternating.  I think it would be smart to try for some overseas expansion, but the organizers do not seem to be that ambitious, and perhaps the manufacturers do not wish to fund such a push, and since the entire series is basically floated by Honda and Toyota, I can understand the reluctance on the part of the series organizers.

 

3 years of this greener, more fun version, and then we see what the long term vision is for the series.  I would expect they might want to continue to use the same engine formula as Super GT, for cost reasons, and perhaps both use Indycar's formula for that same reason, but I do wonder if they might feel the push to try something different.  We get so little reporting in English on the actual paddock and decision-making in the series, so it's very hard to know.

[RA2]

Krating Daeng should take it and run it like Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup

[juicy sushi]

They couldn't afford it.  The series is not exactly a cheap thing.  But if they wanted to title sponsor it and pay for a few non-Japanese rounds, that could be a good idea.

[RA2]

They couldn't afford it.  The series is not exactly a cheap thing.  But if they wanted to title sponsor it and pay for a few non-Japanese rounds, that could be a good idea.

 

 

If anybody can do it it is Krating Daeng/Red Bull. The series already has the support of Honda and Toyota, who can increase the support for a more international calendar. Going International to the thickly populated South Asian market could get Nissan and VW (who both have engines) to join the series.

[juicy sushi]

Yeah, but, it's pretty clear that Honda and Toyota don't want to do that, and Nissan want so little to do with it, they're fine with their top Super GT teams being Toyota teams in Super Formula.  Also, while Red Bull has money, they don't have the thing that would be necessary:influence with JAF.  JAF don't seem to want to sell the series, and are happy with it not growing.  What your willing to pay doesn't matter if the other guy just isn't interested in selling.

[RA2]

  Also, while Red Bull has money, they don't have the thing that would be necessary:influence with JAF.  

 

 

 

 

But right now no interest from Red Bull to go big in South Asia

[juicy sushi]

A couple of guys at Honda is not influence over JAF.

[William Hunt]

I just wish SF would have some more rounds, maybe 12.

 

7 weekends is too few.

 

I know but that's because most Super Formula drivers combine it with Japanese Super Super GT so in reality they are doing twice as much races

PS: it looks like Théo Pourchaire will most likely drive in Super Formula next year, he said himself that he is negotiating with SF teams for next year to combine that with a testing role at Sauber.

Edited by William Hunt, 27 October 2022 - 16:04.

[HistoryFan]

wasn't there a rookie test session this season?

[KWSN - DSM]

Is it not possible that they keep it at a low number of races to make it economically possible to participate? That they do not kill their premier series though making it cost to much for the teams to stay afloat?

[juicy sushi]

It's possible.  The teams are all domestic with domestic-only sponsors, so the pool of available money is less, since the series is lower-profile than Super GT.

[HistoryFan]

Let's have a look like the field could looks like in Super Formula in 2023.

 

=> Raoul Hyman is champion in Formula Regional Americas season and can have an Honda powered seat in Super Formula.

=> Team Goh will leave Super Formula after they lost backing from Red Bull to Team Mugen.

=> B-Max will expand to 2 cars, so we will have 9 Honda drivers and 11 Toyota drivers

=> Liam Lawson or Ren Sato are in talks to join Mugen in place of Ukyo Sasahara

=> Ukyo Sasahara could move to Dandelion to replace Hiroki Otsu

=> Roberto Merhi is rumoured to drive the 2nd B-Max car

=> Sacha Fenestraz will not return to Super Formula after he joint the field in Formula E, at least in the first half of the Super Formula season: A new international driver or Super Formula Lights champion Kazuto Kotaka are in talks to replace him.

=> Veteran driver Kazuya Oshima could possibly retire from Super Formula

=> Honda is open to run Matthew Brabham in Super Formula in 2023 (or Linus Lunqvist)

 

Mugen-Honda: Tomoki Nojiri, Liam Lawson

Impul-Toyota: Ryo Hirakawa, Yuhi Sekiguchi

Kondo-Toyota: Kenta Yamashita, Kazuto Kotaka

Dandelion-Honda: Tadasuki Makino, Ukyo Sasahara

Nakajima-Honda: Toshiki Oyu, Naoki Yamamoto

TOM's-Toyota: Ritomo Miyata, Giuliano Alesi

Cerumo-Toyota: Sho Tsuboi, Sena Sakaguchi

B-Max-Honda: Nobuharu Matshushita, Roberto Merhi

KCMG-Toyota: Yuji Kunimoto, Kamui Kobayashi

Drago-Honda: Nirei Fukuzumi

Rookie-Toyota: Kazuya Oshima               

[FLB]

Actually took the time to watch a full race for the first time yesterday (the last round in Suzuka). REV TV carries the series in Canada  Took me forever to figure the green/red/blinking green light on the roll hoop.

[OvDrone]

I watched the Super GT finale to the detriment of my sleep schedule and even though my favorite, the #3 Nissan didn't win, I was happy for the #12 Impul Nissan crew of Hiramine and Baguette.

A great series.

[SB]

Took me forever to figure the green/red/blinking green light on the roll hoop.

 

That is the status light of push-to-pass for the TV viewers.

[William Hunt]

=> Raoul Hyman is champion in Formula Regional Americas season and can have an Honda powered seat in Super Formula.

 

For which team will he drive then?

[HistoryFan]

I watched the Super GT finale to the detriment of my sleep schedule and even though my favorite, the #3 Nissan didn't win, I was happy for the #12 Impul Nissan crew of Hiramine and Baguette.

A great series.

 

It's a shame Nissan isn't involved in Super Formula...

 

[HistoryFan]

For which team will he drive then?

 

It's not decided yet. And it's even not decided if he will go to Super Formula, it's just an invitation and it is said he will be part of the rookie-test in December.
 

[juicy sushi]

It's a shame Nissan isn't involved in Super Formula...

Nissan has a very low commitment to motorsport, historically. They’ve only ever done a little bit of sport scars and Formula E.

[noriaki]

Also a bit of Group A touring cars, super tourers and WRC.

[HistoryFan]

I am waiting for the day "Dragon" sill drive Super Formula...

[JvsKVB77]

Marko confirmed Lawson move to Super Formula

 

 

Marko: Hadjar driving formula 2. Crawford is still in the process. Iwasa, too. We also have a few new drivers, we announce yet. Lawson was in his F1 Test very quickly. He will drive next year in Japan and one of our reserve driver for formula-1.

https://www.auto-mot...laene-red-bull/

[pacificquay]

Looks like Theo Pourchaire will replace Fenestraz

[juicy sushi]

Looks like Theo Pourchaire will replace Fenestraz

Probably a good choice, he has nothing left to prove in F2, and might as well show his capabilities in a different kind of challenge.

[HistoryFan]

First (Toyota) drivers confirmed:

 

Mugen-Honda: Tomoki Nojiri?, Liam Lawson?

Impul-Toyota: Ryo Hirakawa, Yuhi Sekiguchi

Kondo-Toyota: Kenta Yamashita, Kazuto Kotaka

Dandelion-Honda: Tadasuki Makino?, Ukyo Sasahara?

Nakajima-Honda: Toshiki Oyu?, Naoki Yamamoto?

TOM's-Toyota: Ritomo Miyata, Giuliano Alesi?

Cerumo-Toyota: Sho Tsuboi, Sena Sakaguchi

B-Max-Honda: Nobuharu Matshushita?, Roberto Merhi?

KCMG-Toyota: Yuji Kunimoto, Kamui Kobayashi

Drago-Honda: Nirei Fukuzumi?

Rookie-Toyota: Kazuya Oshima     

[William Hunt]

Raoul Hyman should also have a Super Formula seat next year

[HistoryFan]

only a test is confirmed so far.

[HistoryFan]

Liam Lawson tested for Mugen

Cem Bolukbasi and Ren Sato also tested for Honda

Dandelion had Kakunarhin Ohta in one if its cars.

Igor Fraga for Impul.

Raoul Hyman for B-Max.

[FLB]

Red Bull F1 reserve Lawson heads to Super Formula (f1i.com)

[HistoryFan]

Field almost completed. Hoped for more Non-Japanese drivers.

 

Mugen-Honda: Tomoki Nojiri, Liam Lawson

Impul-Toyota: Ryo Hirakawa, Yuhi Sekiguchi

Kondo-Toyota: Kenta Yamashita, Kazuto Kotaka

Dandelion-Honda: Tadasuki Makino, Kakunoshin Ohta

Nakajima-Honda: Naoki Yamamoto, Ren Sato

TOM's-Toyota: Ritomo Miyata, Giuliano Alesi?

Cerumo-Toyota: Sho Tsuboi, Sena Sakaguchi

B-Max-Honda: Nobuharu Matshushita, Raoul Hyman

KCMG-Toyota: Yuji Kunimoto, Kamui Kobayashi

Drago-Honda: Nirei Fukuzumi

Rookie-Toyota: Kazuya Oshima   

[FLB]

Lawson is making a case for future F1 employment 

[WouterF1]

Lawson is making a case for future F1 employment 

https://twitter.com/...643685248933892

 

Yesterday Liam won the race and today he was 3th with a gap of 1.926 sec but got a 5 sec time penalty (having left a too big gap to his predecessor during during SC) >>>>> 5th place.

 

 

[potmotr]

Lawson is making a case for future F1 employment 

 

I think Lawson really needs to dominate Super Formula this year to cement an F1 seat, and not get passed over for other drivers in the Red Bull programme. 

 

He was such hot property at the end of 2021, but his F2 season last year wasn't good enough to convince Marko to promote him to F1. Which must have stung given there was an Alpha Tauri seat there for the taking last year. Lawson was AT and RB reserve driver... and Pierre Gasly quit Alpha Tauri... but the team ultimately went for De Vries, who wasn't even a Red Bull junior.

 

I think it's unlikely an AT chance will come next year unless De Vries is a total disaster. Ayumu Iwasa looks like he has much more momentum at the moment if Tsunoda is let go, especially given the Honda connection.

 

Also, things are changing at Red Bull now Mateschitz is gone, and it looks like Marko might not be around much longer.

Edited by potmotr, 09 April 2023 - 14:39.

[potmotr]

Decent write up about Lawson's SuperFormula adventures. A surprisingly long and detailed read...

 

https://www.autospor...O_yOl6uqTaNQA_Y

[expert]

Lawson's race pace was great in both races but needs to sort out his qualifying. Same thing that held him back last year to a certain extent?

It definitely hurt him in the 2nd race getting him into the mess during the safety car pit stop.

[balage06]

Lawson's race pace was great in both races but needs to sort out his qualifying. Same thing that held him back last year to a certain extent?

 

Exactly, he's racepace (and racecraft) is always much better than his single lap performance. I'm too lazy to do it, but would be interesting to count how many positions he gained in the last few seasons compared to his starting positions. I suspect it could be a relatively high number.

[LolaB0860]

Dreams of SF becoming Japanese GP support race, maybe, someday
https://www.motorspo...kondo/10460614/

[HistoryFan]

That would be awesome.

[LolaB0860]

Yeah, strange pride of not being support act, hopefully such can be erased