[Interview] O'Sullivan caught out by 'difference in etiquette' in Japan
Kondo Racing rookie Zak O'Sullivan reflects on an up-and-down first weekend in Super Formula at Suzuka... (Photo: JRP)
Top rookie and first points scored on Saturday, in the barriers on Sunday. Zak O’Sullivan wasn’t the only driver to experience contrasting fortunes last weekend as the new Super Formula season at Suzuka, but it would be fair to describe the opening double-header as a baptism of fire after an encouraging pre-season test.
In the first race, O’Sullivan qualified a respectable 10th, five places ahead of Kondo Racing teammate Kenta Yamashita, slipped to 12th on the opening lap, then gained five places in chaotic scenes on pit lane after the safety car prompted the whole field to pit unison. After that, one place was shipped to Tomoki Nojiri and he took the chequered flag in eighth, the first points of the season safely on the board.
Sunday’s qualifying session didn’t quite go according to plan as O’Sullivan fell less than a tenth shy of a spot in Q2, condemning him to a seventh-row start. An early stop and a slow out-lap left him at the back of the field, and the Briton was powerless to escape the final few positions before making contact with Seita Nonaka’s Team Impul car on lap 28 of 31 as the pair ran side-by-side through Turns 1 and 2.
It was a disappointing way to end his debut weekend, particularly as it allowed fellow newcomer Igor Fraga — who had a nightmare race on Saturday but rallied to fifth on Sunday — to steal an early march in the battle for Rookie of the Year honours.