The FINANCIAL — 24-25 September, Sportland SUGO, Miyagi prefecture — Rounds 14, 15 and 16 of the Achievement Japanese Formula 3 championship (F3) were held over the September 24-25 weekend at this circuit in Miyagi prefecture.
In Round 16, Nissan Driver Development Program (NDDP) driver Katsumasa Chiyo (#23) scored his fifth win of the season, bringing him the N-class Driver's title after staging a huge comeback. Meanwhile in Round 15, fellow NDDP driver Daiki Sasaki (#22) took his first-ever F3 victory.
Rounds 12 and 13 were originally scheduled for Suzuka, but had to be cancelled due to a huge typhoon, meaning the N-class of this year's All-Japan Formula 3 championship (F3) was fought over a truncated 14 races. This round at Sugo was therefore the last of the season, with both qualifying and the Round 14 race taking place on Saturday, September 24th, a day ahead of the deciders in Rounds 15 and 16.
In the weekend's first qualifying session, held to determine the starting grid for Round 14, Chiyo grabbed the pole as he dramatically turned the tables in the final three minutes of the session, right after the interruption of a red flag. Sasaki was fourth.
The Round 14 decider started at 15:35. Pole-sitter Chiyo, despite being held up by one of the C-class machines, gradually pulled out a gap over his N-class pursuers. He maintained a stable pace all the way to the flag, earning his fourth victory of the season in the process. Meanwhile, Sasaki, who had started from fourth on the grid, finished in fifth, recording the fastest lap of the race along the way. As the starting grid for Round 16 was determined by the order of fastest laps in Round 14, Sasaki would start the final race of the season from pole.
Round 15 got underway at 08:30 on Sunday, the 25th. From the results of the second qualifying session held on the previous day, Chiyo started the race from 3rd on the grid, while Sasaki was right alongside in 4th. As the two top-placed drivers were involved in a crash right after the start, Sasaki finished the opening lap in the top spot, with Chiyo 2nd.
Though he seemed to lose touch with Sasaki in the race's early stages, Chiyo closed the gap by the event's mid-point, following to within 1 second of the leader. Despite Chiyo's relentless pressure from this point on, Sasaki never slowed his pace, eventually crossing the line to take his first-ever F3 victory. Chiyo came home in 2nd place, bringing NDDP Racing its first 1-2 finish. As a result, Chiyo moved into 2nd place in the series' standings, just eight points adrift of the leader – and with the clear aim of reversing the situation and taking the title in the final round.
Round 16 started at 12:35pm. Sasaki began the race on pole, Chiyo sat 4th on the grid. The title hopeful's rocket start immediately vaulted him into 2nd place, passing Sasaki – held up by a gaggle of C-class cars in front. The pair then got into a 1-2 formation, and set about pulling away from their rivals. Chiyo made a huge push from the race's early stages, setting a time 0.2 seconds quicker than any other car on track on lap 6. This effort eventually earned him fastest lap of the race, bringing him a total of 11 points to add to his earlier haul, plus his fifth victory of the season. The result gave him enough points to draw equal with the series' leader, who finished the race in fourth place. However, after taking a greater number of wins, Chiyo had turned the tables and sealed the crown.
Sasaki finished the season-ender in 2nd. NDDP Racing, scoring its second 1-2 in a row, moved to the top of the Teams' standings, netting double Driver and Team titles.
Katsumasa Chiyo (Round 14: winner, Round 15: 2nd, Round 16: winner. 2011 Champion)
"I was 16 points away from the leader at the start of the weekend. But I turned things around and was able to clinch the championship, something I think is almost unbelievable, but which makes me really happy. Mathematically, I knew I had a chance at the title, so I told myself I had to do my absolute best, and concentrated harder than ever in the final race. Because my team built me an excellent machine, the culmination of a season's hard work, I was able to keep pushing. I would like to thank all the NISSAN/NISMO staff for supporting me so well, and also to the fans who have been supporting me for such a long time. Thank you all very much!"
Daiki Sasaki (Round 14: 5th, Round 15: winner, Round 16: 2nd. Series ranking: 4th)
"As I hadn't scored any victories all season, I felt bad for all those people who had shown me their support. So I'm really happy to have taken my first F3 win. The top two cars went out after an accident at the start, and I was able to maintain my position, getting into the first corner in the top spot. During the race, Chiyo got pretty close a couple of times, but with my car working perfectly, I was confident of keeping my position and talked myself into believing I could stay on top and take the win. It's something of a pity to achieve this in the final round, but I attained my minimum target; victory, pole position and fastest lap in the race. It's good!"
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