SUPER GT 2021 Round 4
Date: July 17-18, 2021
Circuit: Twinring Motegi
GT300
Driver: Ren Sato
Team: ARTA
Results: Qualifying P20 – Race P23
Comment:
We struggled with the performance of the car from the beginning of the Motegi’s race week. I will discuss with Takagi-san and engineers to determine the cause. Also, we need to improve the cool suit system in order to avoid troubles.
I believe that the tough experience will make us stronger, and I will reboot myself for the next round at Suzuka.
We had test sessions at Suzuka already and can expect better result there, so I will keep my best conditions through training, including preparation for the summer heat.
To my supporters,
First, I apologize to all of you for making anxious about my health after the race. Even under ultimate conditions, a racing driver must make a proper judgement. That’s what I learned at Motegi.
Our performance will improve in the next round at Suzuka, and I will prepare for another podium finish.
Thank you for your support!
GT500
Driver: Nirei Fukuzumi
Team: ARTA
Results: Qualifying P9 – Race P5
Comment:
SUPER GT round 4 Motegi took place after 2 months of break because of the postponement of round 3 Suzuka. The temperature was higher than expected and I was excited about the weekend that could be different from cooler season’s race.
Our performance was not ideal from the Free Practice, and also we had some issues with the car, so the Qualifying was going to be difficult for us. As a result, we were eliminated in Q1 which was obviously frustrating, but we discussed our strategy to recover the position from P9 in the Race.
Although I was not able to gain position in my stint, I saved fuel and succeeded to move up to P6 after the pit stop. Due to a crash in front of us, we finished P5 in the end of the race. We should be happy about gaining positions at the track where overtaking is difficult, but there are still a lot to improve. I will work hard with the team for the next round.
Thank you for your support as always.
GT500
Driver: Ukyo Sasahara
Team: TEAM Red Bull MUGEN
Results: Qualifying P3 – Race P4
Comment:
Before round 3 Suzuka which had been postponed to August, round 4 Motegi was held under clear blue sky after the rainy season. Taking the opportunity of two-month break, my team made good preparation after round 2 at Fuji.
Thanks to the great efforts by the team, the Free Practice went smoothly and we got P3 in the Qualifying, which was the best we could perform.
Finishing P4 in the Race was disappointing, but we were able to compete in the top group consistently and the result improved that we had made a great step forward with all the efforts by the team.
Any efforts will be rewarded – that’s we learned in the race weekend and we will be stronger with what we got.
I will never give up until we seize the victory, and give it my all to achieve it. I believe that my team feel the same.
Thank you to my sponsors, suppliers and fans for sending warm regards again.
See you soon in the next round!
