Kiwi Nick Cassidy has won the opening round of the 2019 Super Formula Series at Suzuka, Japan. Cassidy held off rival Naoki Yamamoo to win the 250 Km (43 lap) race with Kenta Yamashita third.
Driving for Vantelin Kowa TOM’S, Cassidy qualified well down the field in 12th position.
“Anything is possible in Super Formula,” commented Cassidy. “This weekend has been really hard for us because I think we’ve been one of the strongest in all of testing and this weekend we’d lost some performance.”
Cassidy’s advantage appeared to be from an early strategic pitstop going from a medium to a soft tyre. He stayed on the softs for another 40-laps, conserving them while making his way through a field that seemed to fall apart due to accidents and mechanicals. He only led for one lap, the very last, when he inherited the lead from Kamui Kobayashi who pitted and dropped to tenth.
Toyota Racing Series driver Lucas Auer finished in seventh ahead of fellow Red Bull driver Daniel Ticktum.
Comments