KCMG participated in Super Formula’s two day pre-season test at Suzuka Circuit this week. Super Formula rookie Richard Bradley displayed progressive potential and completed a successful maiden test despite several challenges.
Preceding the official testing, the series’ 2013 season kicked off with a Fan Appreciation Day on Sunday. The pre-inaugural event drew massive crowds as motorsport enthusiasts flocked to Suzuka Circuit to see their favourite teams and drivers who will contend for the championship title this year. The event last weekend included a demonstration run which concluded with a non finish for Bradley after coursing off circuit on Lap 1.
The team came back the following day to take part in the series’ first day of official testing. Bradley had a good first run during the morning session with the best lap time of 1’40.8. However, KCMG mechanics found a crack in the FN09’s gearbox as a result of Bradley’s collision during the previous day’s event. The team had to miss the remainder of the morning and all of the afternoon session to repair the damage in time for Super Formula’s Day 2 of pre-season testing.
With 4 hours of track time lost due to this incident, Bradley returned to the circuit on Tuesday morning with the aim to deliver positive results. Despite the laborious task and time pressure, KCMG’s Super Formula engineer and mechanics managed to get the car ready for another day of intense testing.
Bradley completed 4 hours of testing and efficiently tried different tyre strategies without much difficulty. The British driver wrapped up the afternoon session with his best lap time of 1’38.3. Regardless of the numerous incidents and red flags that interrupted Bradley’s progress on the circuit, the team believes that the British driver did an excellent job during his Suzuka maiden test outing.
KCMG Japan General Manager Ryuji Doi anticipates more progressive results from his new driver. He expressed that the entire team, especially KCMG Super Formula’s engineer Akinori Kasai is pleased with Bradley’s performance during the pre-season testing. Doi-san states, “We are happy about Richard’s overall performance on his first proper Super Formula test here in Suzuka. The entire team is looking forward to this new season working with him. We are all excited and have already started to prepare for the next official test in Fuji. Richard is a very talented young driver and he just gets better lap by lap.”
Bradley is optimistic despite all the hurdles that he had to face over the weekend and during the testing sessions. Though satisfied with the overall outcome of his Suzuka outing, he is aiming for more progress and better results in Fuji. Bradley was quoted, “Losing 4 hours of running was a massive blow on a new track with a new car, new team and new tyres. It was also quite challenging that I have only driven this type of car for 4 hours in my life before! Under the circumstances, the test went very well and I’m happy with the team and the progress we made. The performance we showed today was very competitive regardless of the challenges. I look forward to the Fuji test which should be much easier as I have driven this car there before but I think we can look forward to a good season!”
Super Formula’s next official testing will be held on March 20-21 at Fuji Speedway.
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