Turbulence Qualifying: #4 Kenta Yamashita of rookie got the pole position
＃4 Kenta Yamashita KONDO RACING
The qualifying for the 4th round of the Super Formula was held on Saturday, August 19 at Twin Ring Motegi. This 4th round is turnaround point of the 2017 season. The championship is changing every race for this season and it is becoming a mixed-fighting pattern. In addition, this time it was the first 2 season specs tire race. “Soft tires” with a higher grip than the “Medium tires” that are normally used are introduced, and the use of both “Medium tires” and “Soft tires” is obligatory in the final race. Introduction of 2 spec tire system, who will reach the annual champion etc. there are many interesting points, such as.
＃3 Nick Cassidy KONDO RACING
Just before the start of Q1 for 20 minutes the wet condition was declared on the road surface condition. All the machines chosen “Soft tires” and went on the course, due to a strategy that puts out the time before the weather gets worse. When the thunder begins to hear in the distance, the road surface gets wet and steadier. The number of machines pitting in to change to “Rain tires” began to increase at the remaining 14 minutes. Rain grew steadily stronger and used “Rain tires”, but updating the lap times was in a difficult state. Ultimately all the machines were run on rain tires, but Q1 ceased time and ended, leading # 16 Naoki Yamamoto, # 2 Hiroaki Ishiura and other leading candidates lost at Q1.
Q2 of 7 minutes became a delay just before the start, it was canceled as it was, and it became qualifying of the disturbance. Regarding the result of Q1, the rankings were confirmed as they were. For Q2 and Q3, it was held from 9:20 on August 20 the next day.
Before the qualify session start
Main rank of Q1
Rank No. Driver Team
1 #3 Nick Cassidy KONDO RACING
2 #4 Kenta Yamashita KONDO RACING
3 #18 Kamui Kobayashi KCMG
4 #64 Daisuke Nakajima TCS NAKAJIMA RACING
5 #15 Pierre Gasly TEAM MUGEN
Air temp 25℃, Road temp 29℃
#18 Kamui Kobayashi KCMG
Q2 and Q3 postponed from previous day were carried out in the scheduled morning free practice time. In Q2, the leading drivers such as # 19 Yuhi Sekiguchi, # 36 Andre Lotterer, # 37 Kazuki Nakajima, etc. left from qualifying. 8 drivers who advanced to Q3 have never gotten the pole position of this season. Everyone attacked with soft tires same as Q2. #4 Kenta Yamashita of rookie got the pole position. #18 Kamui Kobayashi got second place, #40 Nojiri Tomoki ranked third. The final is held the