The Super Formula paddock kicked off its intense Motegi double-header weekend with a 90-minute free practice session under clear skies and autumn-tinged sunshine, where Toshiki Oyu (TCS NAKAJIMA RACING) ultimately laid down the fastest time of the day with a 1;31.221.
Running on a track featuring a 33℃ ambient temperature and a blistering 47℃ track temperature, the field wasted no time heading out once the pit lane opened. Early pacesetters shuffled through the timing screens before the session saw a flurry of improvements as drivers bolted on fresh rubber in the dying minutes. Sho Tsuboi (P.MU/CERUMO･INGING) secured second with a 1;31.475, while Ryo Hirakawa (carenex TEAM IMPUL) slotted into third after setting a 1;31.520. Behind the top three, Sekiguchi, Yuji Kunimoto (KCMG), Hiroki Otsu, Nirei Fukuzumi (ThreeBond Drago CORSE), and Tomoki Nojiri rounded out the drivers cracking into the 1;31 bracket.
The points difference is what it is, and my challenge is just to win these two races here.
At the other end of the timesheets, championship contender Sacha Fenestraz (KONDO RACING) faced a difficult start to the weekend. Sitting third in the standings and forced to switch monocoques following a massive crash at the previous round at Fuji, Fenestraz could only manage a 1;33.274, leaving him 21st overall and searching for answers.
Points leader Tomoki Nojiri (TEAM MUGEN), who finished the session ninth, was quick to downplay his advantage at the top of the standings over Hirakawa. "First thing I want to say is, 'Do you know how many points can be scored just this weekend?'" Nojiri said. Calling the gap far from massive, he added that he expects fierce competition from his rivals, noting, "I think Hirakawa and Sacha are both drivers who perform even better when facing adversity, so I'm not optimistic at all."
Meanwhile, Hirakawa insisted his focus remains squarely on the immediate task rather than the championship math. "Honestly, I'm not really conscious of the title fight," Hirakawa said. "The points difference is what it is, and my challenge is just to win these two races here." Hirakawa noted that his machine felt better than it had at previous rounds, echoing the sensations of his stronger qualifying years, though he admitted his setup struggled slightly as track temperatures cooled down towards the end of the session.
With qualifying for Round 7 set for Saturday morning, the grid prepares to find out whether Friday's pacesetters can lock down pole position or if an unexpected challenger will emerge.
