Super Formula: Grand Slam victory for Alex Palou at Fuji Speedway

Alex Palou has won the Super Formula race at Fuji Speedway, the fourth round of the season. The 22-year-old Spanish driver of the #64 Dallara SF19-Honda takes his maiden win in the Japanese premier single-seater competition after starting from pole, leading for the entire race and setting the fastest lap, what is a real Grand Slam victory for the rookie in the series.

Palou also gives the first win to Nakajima Racing since 2010 and ended Honda’s 10-year winless drought at Fuji Speedway.

Super Formula podium at Fuji Speedway

Palou shared a podium with Sho Tsuboi (JMS P.mu/cerumo Inging, Toyota) and Nick Cassidy (Vantelin Team Tom’s, Toyota). The other five drivers who scored points at Fuji are Tomoki Nojiri (Honda), Kazuki Nakajima (Toyota), Kamui Kobayashi (Toyota), Hiroaki Ishiura (Toyota) and Yuhi Sekiguchi (Toyota).

The championship leader Naoki Yamamoto finished 11th after having a spin in the #1 Honda. The race was marked by a debut of the 20-year-old Mexican Patricio O’Ward in the #15 Honda of Team Mugen. After a tough qualifying and starting from P20 on the grid, he finished 14th.

Although he scored no points, Naoki Yamamoto retained the championship lead with 27 points on his account, five more than Nick Cassidy. The victory promoted Alex Palou from P13 to the third place in the championship.

The next Super Formula race is scheduled for August 17-18 at Twin Ring Motegi.