During an interview with Super Formula defending champion and current points leader, Naoki Yamamoto, he stated that “Nick Cassidy is not just his biggest rival now, and that he needs to keep an eye on Alex Palou, in order to try to repeat as champion.”
In another well fought qualifying, Yamamoto’s words proved to be true, as rookie Alex Palou captured pole for the 2nd race in a row in 1’31.442 new course record-setting fashion. Ryo Hirakawa came in P2, and Nirei Fukuzumi, Yamamoto’s teammate finished in P3.
In Q1, Ryo Hirakawa came in with the best time, followed by Lucas Auer in P2, Palou in P3, Nick Cassidy in P4, Hiroaki Ishiura in P5, Yuhi Sekiguchi in P6.
After a 10 min interval in the 38℃ extremely humid weather conditions (49℃ track temp), Kamui Kobayashi’s car was the first to come out onto the track. As time clicked away in the session, it was Fukuzumi in P1, Kamui in P2, Palou in P3, Lucas Auer P4, Naoki Yamamoto in P5, Hirakawa in P6.
Tomorrow’s 250 km race (52 laps) will be streamed worldwide outside of Japan on both motorsport.tv and on YouTube on the letsgoracing channel.

P.P Alex Palou(TCS NAKAJIMA RACING)

P.2 Ryo Hirakawa(ITOCHU ENEX TEAM IMPUL)

P.3 Nirei Fukuzumi(DOCOMO TEAM DANDELION RACING)