Lotterer wins first Formula Nippon race of 201115/05/2011
Suzuka Circuit, Mie Pref, Japan
2011 Formula Nippon Round 1
As in 2010, Bridgestone continue to support Formula Nippon this year as sole tyre supplier to the series. The 2011 season got under way one month later than originally planned, at Suzuka last weekend (on 15 May), in front of a crowd of 20,500 spectators. Andre Lotterer started the race from sixth on the grid, the German driver taking the lead after the compulsory pit stop and claiming the top step of the podium. It was his 10th win in the series. Takashi Kogure finished second and the winner’s team-mate Kazuki Nakajima was third.
Qualifying
Due to the unexpected earthquake that hit northeastern Japan at the end of March, teams and drivers did not have much time to test their slick tyres ahead of the opening race weekend, with Suzuka being the first major opportunity for the 2011 specification Bridgestone slick to be run by the teams. Naoki Yamamoto, who is now in his second year of competing in the series, secured his first ever pole position. Takashi Kogure qualified second and in third was Kodai Tsukakoshi.
Race
Lotterer is well known for making great race starts, and started well moving up instantly from sixth to second place. Yamamoto had a slow start in comparison and was touched by another car, making him go off the track. Kogure led into the first corner and Lotterer followed. The top two cars pulled away from the rest of the field and German driver Lotterer led after the mandatory pit stop in which all tyres must be changed. Kogure had a longer pit stop. Kazuki Nakajima moved up to third position after his early pit stop strategy, with his result proving the durability and consistency of the tyres during a long race stint.
Winning driver
Andre Lotterer: “I was worried after qualifying about car balance and grip, but the team did a great job and I made a good race start again to gain second position. I knew that a good pit stop was crucial in order for us to win and my crew did a fantastic job to help me take the lead. Bridgestone’s tyres gave me steady grip even at the very end of the race, allowing me to build a greater lead over Kogure and the others.”
Bridgestone senior technical advisor: Yasuo Teranishi
“The construction and compound of Bridgestone’s slick tyre for Formula Nippon is new for 2011. We will support the series by supplying one specification of slick tyre this season. Some teams struggled a little with less traction on the 2011 specification slick, but Lotterer and his team found a suitable car set-up to win, showing good and consistent lap times.”
