Super Formula's Raw Battles at Motegi

0:00It's April 6th. This is F1 News today, your AI-powered team coverage. Super Formula grabbed the spotlight last weekend at Motigi, while Formula One took its month-long break. The opener came right after F1's Zooka race, with a rainy Saturday full of cautions leading into a gripping Sunday showdown. To Shiki Oyu led early, but slowed the pack, opening doors for Surprise Top 4 runs by Nirei Fukuzumi and Debbie Taunt Loop Browning. The series runs identical cars from Honda and Toyota engines, stable tires, and skips DRS for pure racing. Instead, they use the overtake system, or OTSA, push-to-pass boost, giving drivers 200 seconds of extra fuel flow at 10kg per hour. Above the standard 90, introduced back in 2009, it hit its current setup in 2019 to fight dirty air effects. Fans and drivers love the close action, but OTS draws heat for defensive use too, creating stalemates when rivals match boosts.

1:00Engineers call it essential on twisty Japanese tracks, like Motigi, with short straights. Changes last year ditched flashing cockpit lights, pushing teams to radio cues from broadcasts and apps. Defending champ Ayumu Iwasa pushes softer tires like F1s for more degradation and passing chances, blaming fresh track surfaces for less grip wear. Rists want refueling back and longer races, but promoters stick to one hour double headers amid new teams. Still, crowds are up in the grid hit 24 cars, the biggest in years. Super formula strikes a solid balance, proving ground for global stars without overrelying on gimmicks, keeping eyes peeled for more raw battles.