New Zealand’s Liam Lawson has this evening qualified ninth for tomorrow’s Round 3 of Super Formula at Suzuka.
The Kiwi had looked strong earlier in the knockout session, making the final 12 with a third-fastest 1:36.933 in the first qualifying group.
He did manage to improve on this time in Q2, setting a best time of 1:36.711 to finish the session ninth.
Toshiki Oyu was the driver who took top spot, his 1:35.792 enough to deliver him his maiden pole. He’s sharing the front row with Sho Tsuboi while defending champion, and Lawson’s Team Mugen teammate, Tomoki Nojiri could only manage third.
Lawson will start the race next to Ryo Hirakawa, a Japanese driver known in the New Zealand scene through his Toyota Gazoo Racing World Endurance Championship partnership with Brendon Hartley.
Tomorrow’s Super Formula race at Suzuka begins at 6.30 pm NZ time and is being shown live on motorsport.tv with a paid subscription.