2017 Super Formula season

[Formulahistory]

Sirotkin would be huge...

[rjoconnell]

Antonio Felix da Costa says he's now unlikely to make the move to Super Formula: "I think they’re exploring their options. They’re keeping me in the loop and we’re staying in contact, but if I’m honest it’s a little bit unlikely."

http://motorsports.nbcsports.com/201...-formula-move/

[NSX_LeMans]

http://superformula.net/apf/ap/NList...&code=NS022576
The results from Test Day 1 have been published on SF's site. The whole top 16 cars are within F1's 107% time from last year and Lotterer's time, I believe, is the fastest someone has ever got at Suzuka in a non-F1 car.

Has the fuel flow been pushed back to 100kg/h or it the teams and drivers getting more used to the cars?

[Juntos]

Jann has been slow.

[Hawkwood]

Originally Posted by Juntos

Jann has been slow.

1.3 seconds away from the best, in his rookie test, when the best is a world class guy who's been around for years.

Jann hasn't been bad so far.

[rjoconnell]

Oh dear, I don't think we even mentioned who got that last seat in this thread - two-time Macau GP champion, former European F3 champion, racing everything from Formula E to sports cars to Indy Lights - Felix Rosenqvist!

This, no joke, is the best rookie class they've put together.

[Beryl]

Originally Posted by rjoconnell

This, no joke, is the best rookie class they've put together.

There's quantity, but the results of last year's rookies, Sekiguchi and Vandoorne, are going to be tough to match (4 wins, 3rd and 4th in the championship).

[NSX_LeMans]

Another 1-2 for TOM's.
Ryo Hirakawa, JP Oliveira and Pierre Gasly lapped under 1:22, just a few seconds slower than 2008 F1.


Official Test Results

[rjoconnell]

KAZUKI NAKAJIMA takes pole position for the first round at Suzuka Circuit! He'll start on the front row with his Toyota LMP1 teammate and reigning series champion, Yuji Kunimoto. The last four champions occupy the first two rows.

Pierre Gasly will start eighth, best of all the super rookies, next to 2011 champion and 3x Le Mans winner Andre Lotterer.

http://superformula.net/sf/race/2017/1701/qresult.shtml

[Formulahistory]

I wonder why Lotterer isn't that good anymore...

[Juntos]

Originally Posted by Formulahistory

I wonder why Lotterer isn't that good anymore...

Age?

I know hasty judgements are generally faulty but Andre is racing for money, not for love.

[Hawkwood]

Originally Posted by Juntos

Age?

I know hasty judgements are generally faulty but Andre is racing for money, not for love.

Ok, the 'Lotterer isn't good anymore' comment was daft enough, but let's not pretend that you, me, or anyone other than Lotterer himself know why he's racing.

[rjoconnell]

I wonder why Lotterer isn't that good anymore...

I know hasty judgements are generally faulty but Andre is racing for money, not for love.

hmm

[NSX_LeMans]

Although he openly says he doesn't like the track, Lotterer came out of Okayama with a dominant win and a third place. He is now leading the championship.
Good results for Sekiguchi, with a second place and a victory in race 2, and for the rookies Cassidy, Rosenqvist and Gasly, as they scored their first points.
Terrible weekend for Kaz Nakajima, though.

I really wish they would stop doing double races at Okayama.

[Juntos]

Seems the British rookie is disappointing a few optimistic fellows...

[NaBUru38]

Does anyonhe like Okayama? Short straights, no fast corners.

[cds_uk]

Originally Posted by Juntos

Seems the British rookie is disappointing a few optimistic fellows...

Mardenborough? I can't say that i have watched any of the series this year but why is he disappointing, he is off the mark, more to the point he is ahead of Gasly after three races?

[Japanese Samurai]

JAF announces 2018 Super Formula tech regulations.
http://jaf-sports.jp/cms_file/cms/cm...5517_00001.pdf

(Revise point)
*Equipment of DRS (Drag reduction system) is permitted. 2.11.3)
*Engine control: One of fuel restrictor or air restrictor has to be loaded. 4.6.1)

[Japanese Samurai]

I don't know the meaning of the Article 4.6.1).
Up to now, only fuel restrictor was being loaded on NRE (Nippon Race Engine) engine.
This may be the intention to admit introduction of air restrictor engine in addition to NRE engine.

[Japanese Samurai]

Super Formula tech regulations about engine control
Till 2017
4.2.1.2) Fuel flow restrictor approved by JAF must be installed.
(It is obligatory to install a fuel flow restriction system that is submitted to and approved by the JAF.): official Ja to En translation by JAF

2018
4.6.1) Either fuel flow restrictor or air restrictor, approved by JAF must be installed.

Will new air restrictor-equipped engine be introduced in Super Formula?

[Japanese Samurai]

https://jp.motorsport.com/super-form...%82%82-943678/

According to jp.motorsport.com,
Akira Kurashita (JRP) says that there is a possibility that air restrictor might replace fuel restrictor in 2019.
If so, current overtake system doesn't work. So DRS might be introduced in 2019.
2018 technical regulations change is to test DRS in 2018.

[NSX_LeMans]

Nojiri took the pole, with a new lap record. First pole position for Honda since last September.

[hondafan37]

One question for Japanese Samurai.
In Argentine is mencioned the possibility of Pechito Lopez will be racing in the Super Formula in 2018, is there any rumor or information there in Japan?

[Formulahistory]

that would be awesome...

[SuperFormulaComplet]

Pechito Lopez>>

I've never heard his rumor in Japan.
We need to wait until season end test days.
Personally, I think that Honda wants world class drivers.