Mitsunori Takaboshi takes 2 consecutive victories at F3 Suzuka

June 11th – 12th Suzuka Circuit (Mie Prefecture)
Rounds 7-8 of the All Japan F3 Championship were held at Suzuka Circuit where Mitsunori Takaboshi achieved consecutive victories.

Round 8 podium

#21 Mitsunori Takaboshi

As with the previous tournament at Okayama, the three Nissan drivers, Jann Mardenborough, Katsumasa Chiyo, and Takaboshi competed in this, the Suzuka leg of the All Japan F3 Championship. Although they slightly lagged behind their rivals in the qualifying sessions, in the final races they would display a significant lift in pace to turn the tables around.

On the 11th (Sat) Mardenborough was the first to pull out that speed after starting from a 3rd place qualification. Although it was slightly overcast, the race began under relatively hot and humid conditions. Mardenborough ran side-by-side with his rival in 2nd while they were entering into the first corner of lap 2, and had pulled in front by the exit to move up one spot. He continued on to record his personal best time and reduce the difference with the machine in the lead. After that difference was reduced to around 1 second, the two engaged in numerous bumper-to-bumper battles but unfortunately they ended up making contact at the chicane at lap 9. With his opponent bearing the brunt of the damage and falling back to the sidelines, Mardenborough went on to pass the checkered flag in the top spot. However, a penalty for the contact was imposed following the end of the race and ultimately Mardenborough was placed in 10th. With this, Takaboshi, who finished in 2nd place after starting from a 4th starting position, moved into the top spot and became the race winner. Beginning from 5th on the grid, Chiyo passed the finish line in a commendable 3rd place.

Rain fell intermittently right from the morning of the 12th (Sun) resulting in slightly unpredictable conditions. By the time round 8 began, although the rain had ceased, a significant amount of water still remained on the second half of the course, making it extremely difficult conditions for the drivers. The Nissan drivers’ starting grid saw Chiyo starting in 3rd, with Mardenborough in 4th and Takaboshi in 5th. Although he had managed to grab victory in the previous race through being lifted up the order, Takaboshi had gone on to state, “I had trouble trying to match the pace of the two cars in front of me.” This time, however, he pulled out a superb start to shoot out of the blocks and immediately pass both Chiyo and Madenborough. Although he briefly relinquished his position back to Chiyo, he went on to regain his footing and overtake Chiyo once again at the back straight of lap 9 to be running in 2nd. He then went on to rewrite the fastest lap and close in on the lead machine after which, at the first corner of lap 12, he finally moved into the top spot. He continued on with a steady pace for the remaining 5 laps and passed the checkered flag in 1st. With this he achieved 2 consecutive victories following on from the previous day. Mardenborough managed to move up one position from his qualifying start and grabbed the 3rd step on the podium. Although Chiyo was looking strong in the first half of the race, his paced dropped off in the closing stages and he ultimately finished in 4th.

Mitsunori Takaboshi (Round 7 – 1st / Round 8 – 1st)
“I was lucky to take the win in round 7, but I feel that I truly earned it in round 8 and overtook my rivals convincingly, so I’m pretty happy. It seems that the conditions worked in my favor and my machine’s pace was really good. Seeing as I was limited to competing in the last tournament at Okayama and this one at Suzuka, I’m really happy that I was able to prove that I have what it takes. I’m glad I was able to pull out my best.”

Jann Mardenborough (Round 7 – 10th / Round 8 – 3rd)
“I had a really good pace during round 7 but I was ultimately penalized, then in round 8 my pace wasn’t all that good, so it turned into a pretty disappointing weekend. However, in the end, it’s still good that I was able to end race week with a podium finish. The next round will be at a circuit with a very different character so I’m going to make sure I’m completely prepared to take it on.”

Katsumasa Chiyo (Round 7 – 3rd / Round 8 – 4th)
“I wasn’t able to fully work out the kinks but I did my best in the qualifiers and was able to take a team top position and, although I lost some pace towards the end, I was running pretty well in the first half of the race. I feel like I’m gradually overcoming my weak-points with each race and I think this weekend was productive. I’ll continue to push as hard as I can in the following rounds.”

＜All Japan F3 Championship Round 7＞

＜All Japan F3 Championship Round 8＞

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