MEDIA INFORMATION
October 16, 2017
Japan Race Promotion Inc.

Round 7 : October 21 (Saturday) – October 22 (Sunday)

The 2017 Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship Series Final Round and16th JAF GRAND PRIX SUZUKA
Japan Race Promotion Inc. (President: Akira Kurashita, Head office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan) today announced details of “The 2017
Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship Series Final Round and 16th JAF GRAND PRIX SUZUKA” scheduled to take place on
October 21-22 at the SUZUKA Circuit International Racing Course (length = 5.807km) in Mie Prefecture, Japan.
Round 7 is a two-race format. Qualifying sessions will be held on Saturday, followed by two championship races of different distances onSunday. Race 1 will be run over 19 laps of the Suzuka Circuit and Race 2 will be run over 36 laps of the same course. With the two-raceformat, drivers usually receive half the normal number of points in each race, but in the final round, three bonus points are also awarded to
the winner of each race, setting the stage for an exciting competition that could see some shocking moves in the driver standings
depending on the results.
As we approach the final round, the battle for the championship remains very tight. Hiroaki Ishiura (P.MU/CERUMO・INGING) still holds
the top position in the driver’s standings, but rookie Pierre Gasly (TEAM MUGEN), who has won two races this season and has been on
the podium for the last three races, currently sits second in the standings just 0.5 points behind Ishiura. Chasing the top two are Felix
Rosenqvist (SUNOCO TEAM LEMANS) and Yuhi Sekiguchi (ITOCHU ENEX TEAM IMPUL), with all four drivers still with a real chanceof being crowned the 2017 series champion. In addition, a maximum of 18 points are available in the final round, putting a number of strong
drivers within reach of current leader Ishiura, including Kazuki Nakajima (VANTELIN TEAM TOM'S), Andre Lotterer (VANTELIN TEAMTOM'S) and Kamui Kobayashi (KCMG Elyse). Those drivers are likely to attack aggressively from the first qualifying session to close the18-point gap.
We could see the first ever Super Formula driver to win the championship in their debut year if either Pierre Gasly or Felix Rosenqvist end
the season at the top of the standings. Round 7 is also likely to attract considerable attention because of Pierre Gasly, who made his F1
debut in the Malaysian Grand Prix with the Scuderia Toro Rosso team and will miss out of the United States Grand Prix do to hisparticipation in the Super Formula Round 7 series finale.

No. 2 Hiroaki Ishiura (P.MU/CERUMO・INGING) is topof the driver standings heading into the final roundNo. 15 Pierre Gasly (TEAM MUGEN) could win theSuper Formula 2017 series in his debut year

■ OFFICIAL QUALIFYING KNOCK-OUT FORMAT・・・Q1 (20 minutes): Top 14 cars progress to Q2, starting grid positions for Race 1 will be decided.

Q2 (7 minutes): Top 8 cars progress to Q3.

Q3 (7 minutes): Positions 1- 8 fixed, starting grid for Race 2 will be decided.

Results of the Q1 official qualifying session will determine the starting grid for Race 1, while the combined results of the Q1-3 sessions will decide
the starting grid for Race 2.
There will be a 10 minute interval between each qualifying
As the name suggests, drivers are “knocked out” of the session if they do not post good enough times during the first two qualifying rounds.

■ CHAMPIONSHIP RACE
Race 1: 19 laps (1 lap: 5.807 km x 19 = 110.33 km)
Race 2: 36 laps (1 lap: 5.807 km x 36 = 209.05 km)■ SUZUKA International Racing Course
Suzuka is one of the few racing circuits worldwide with a figure-eight design. The circuit has a long, narrow east-west layout with an overpass inthe center that switches the driving direction from clockwise to counter-clockwise. Suzuka is also Japan’s longest circuit with a length of 5.807
km. The track is between 10 m and 16 m wide, has 18 corners and a maximum elevation change of 52 m. Suzuka’s asphalt has a higher
coefficient of friction than many circuits worldwide. Suzuka circuit is widely liked in the racing community because it is a technical, but rewarding
course for drivers due to its elevation change and balanced layout of high and low-speed corners.

2017 JAPANESE SUPER FORMULA Championship Final Round : ENTRY LIST (Chassis: SF14, Tires: Yokohama)
NO.

DRIVERDATE OF BIRTH
PLACE OF BIRTH

1Yuji Kunimoto

12 September 1990Kanagawa, Japan

2

Hiroaki Ishiura

23 April 1981
Tokyo, Japan

3

Nick Cassidy

19 August 1994
New Zealand4

Kenta Yamashita

3 August 1995
Chiba, Japan

7

Felix Rosenqvist

7 November 1991
Sweden30 April 1987

8Kazuya Oshima

10Koudai Tsukakoshi

20 November 1986
Tochigi, Japan

15

Pierre Gasly

7 February 1996
France16

Naoki Yamamoto

11 July 1988
Tochigi, Japan

18

Kamui Kobayashi

13 September 1986
Hyogo, Japan

19

Yuhi Sekiguchi

29 December 1987
Tokyo, Japan

Jann Mardenborough9 September 1991
United Kingdom

36

Andre Lotterer

19 November 1981
Germany

37

Kazuki Nakajima

11 January 1985
Aichi, Japan

40

Tomoki Nojiri

15 September 1989
Ibaraki, Japan

41

Takuya Izawa

1 June 1984
Tokyo, Japan

50

Takashi Kogure

1 August 1980
Gunma, Japan

64

Daisuke Nakajima

29 January 1989
Aichi, Japan

Narain Karthikeyan

MANAGERENGINE

P.MU / CERUMO・INGING

Yuji Tachikawa

TOYOTA
RI4A

KONDO RACING

Masahiko Kondo

TOYOTA
RI4A

SUNOCO TEAM LEMANS

Tatsuya Kataoka

TOYOTA
RI4A

REAL RACING

Katsutomo Kaneishi

HONDA
HR-417E

TEAM MUGEN

Nagataka Tezuka

HONDA
HR-417E

KCMG

Ryuji DoiTOYOTA
RI4A

ITOCHU ENEX TEAM IMPULKazuyoshi Hoshino

TOYOTA
RI4A

VANTELIN TEAM TOM’S

Nobuhide Tachi

TOYOTA
RI4A

DOCOMO TEAMDANDELION RACING

Kiyoshi Muraoka

HONDA
HR-417E

B-MAX RACING TEAM

Ryuji Kumita

HONDA
HR-417E

TCS NAKAJIMA RACING

Satoru Nakajima

HONDA
HR-417E

Gunma, Japan

2065

ENTRANT

14 January 1977
India

2017 STANDINGSDRIVERS Standings
Pos.

No.

          

DriverPts.

       

33.5

50.5

51055312

Hiroaki Ishiura215Pierre Gasly

3300141010837

Felix Rosenqvist

28.5002.5

8684419

Yuhi Sekiguchi

25055500

10537

Kazuki Nakajima

2211002036636

Andre Lotterer

20

453

6200718

Kamui Kobayashi

16.5

02.5

2082281

Yuji Kunimoto

16

600

10

4

5916

Naoki Yamamoto

10.5

82

0.5

0000103

Nick Cassidy

80

300401114

Kenta Yamashita

6.5

01

1.50400128

Kazuya Oshima600000601341

Takuya Izawa

510030011420

Jann Mardenborough3.501.5010101510Koudai Tsukakoshi

330000001664

Daisuke Nakajima

22000000

1740

Tomoki Nojiri

200001

1050

Takashi Kogure

0000000065

Narain Karthikeyan

00000000     

* Winners are in Bold italics / Polesitters are in Bold.

TEAMS StandingsPos.

          

No. TeamPts.

       11|247.5

110.5410598215|16 TEAM MUGEN

43.5821.5410108336|37 VANTELIN TEAM TOM’S

41

1453823647|834.5002.586144519|20 ITOCHU ENEX TEAM IMPUL

27.505.5560110P.MU/CERUMO·INGING

SUNOCO TEAM LEMANS

6KCMG

16.502.52082273|4KONDO RACING

12.5041.50700840|41 DOCOMO TEAM DANDELION RACING

6100310133000000220000000000000091010REAL RACING

64|65 TCS NAKAJIMA RACING50

B-MAX RACING TEAM     

* Winners are in Bold italics* Team points: Team Points are the total number of points won by the driver or drivers attached to that team (entrant). Should a team (entrant) enter more than two cars at any race
event, only the best two results shall be taken into account. Pole position points shall not be included in Team Points.

Final Round at SUZUKA■ Official name :2017 Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship Final Round : SUZUKA
The 16th JAF GRAND PRIX SUZUKA / JAF GRAND PRIX

■ Dates :2017 October 21 (Saturday) : Qualifying
2017 October 22 (Sunday) : Race 1 & Race 2■ Location :Suzuka Circuit International Racing Course, Mie Prefecture (Circuit length: 5.807 km)■ Hosted by :Nagoya Racing Club (NRC)
Suzuka Motor Sports Club (SMSC)
Mobilityland Corporation■ Official recognition by :Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA)Japan Automobile Federation (JAF)■ Authorized by :Japan Race Promotion Inc. (JRP)■ Sponsored by :Mie Prefecture / Suzuka CityThe Suzuka F1 Japan Grand Prix Regional Revitalization Council /Tourist Information Office Suzuka / Suzuka Chamber of Commerce and Industry /THE TOKYO CHUNICHI SPORTS / THE CHUNICHI SPORTS / The Chunichi Shimbun■ Held jointly with :TOYOTA GAZOO Racing 86 / BRZ Race 2017 Round 9
TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Netz Cup Vitz Race 2017 Kansai series Round 4

TV Coverage & Race Footage Delivery[ TV Broadcasts ]● BS Fuji :Live Race Broadcast “2017 SUPER FORMULA Round 7 SUZUKA”
This program will be broadcast “live” and hosted by Super Formula’s official commentator Pierre Kitagawa, with additionalcommentary by Super Formula ambassador Satoshi Motoyama. Tsugio Matsuda, a highly respected technical commentator,and Miki Higashi, will give reports from the pit as well as after-race interviews. as well as after-race interviews.

Trackside:

Pierre Kitagawa

Commentary:

Satoshi Motoyama

Pit reporters:

Tsugio Matsuda and Miki Higashi

Broadcast time:

October 22 (Sun) 14:00 -15:55＊For more info on the program, visit the BS Fuji website < http://www.bsfuji.tv/superfomuralive/pub/index.html >● BS Fuji :“Super Formula Go On!”
This talk-show program hosted by Super Formula drivers Kamui Kobayashi and Daisuke Nakajima will showcase the appealof Super Formula by introducing key people from the sport today. High-profile guests from within and outside the industry will
be featured each program. Pierre Kitagawa will assist the hosts, and Hina Higuchi, a member of top-idol girl band Nogizaka 46,
will narrate the show. In the race digest segment, Tsugio Matsuda, the pit reporter in the “live” broadcast will deliver in-depth
commentary, complemented by reports from the race track by Miki Higashi.

Broadcasttime/date:Show #7

October 15 (Sun) 25:00 -25:55

Show #8

December 23 (Sat) 23:00 -23:55＊For more info on the show, visit the BS Fuji website < http://www.bsfuji.tv/superfomura/pub/index.html >● J SPORTS :Live broadcasts of all rounds (both qualifying and races). Re-broadcasts and digest programs will be aired.
Round 7 SUZUKA
Broadcast time:
Qualifying

October 21 (Sat)

13:40 ~[ Live coverage on J SPORTS 3 ]Race 1

October 22 (Sun)09:00 ~[ Live coverage on J SPORTS 3 ]Race 2October 22 (Sun)14:00 ~[ Live coverage on J SPORTS 3 ]＊For more info on the programs, visit J SPORTS website < http://www.jsports.co.jp/motor/super_formula/ >[ Online Video Distribution ]● GYAO ! :All SUPER FORMULA championship races will be available to view for free on-demand 15 days after the race.
*Distribution times may change. < http://gyao.yahoo.co.jp/sports/ >● motorsport.tv :All Super Formula races will be streamed “live” via motorsport.tv outside of Japan.
See< motorsport.tv >for more details.

● YouTube :A digest featuring the qualifying sessions and championship races will be uploaded the evening of the races.
*Ttimes may change. For more information, visit the Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship official website on
the evening after qualifying and the race: http://www.superformula.net/
superformulavideo-YouTube : < https://www.youtube.com/user/superformulavideo >[ Internet / Social Media ]SUPER FORMULA Official website : < http://superformula.net/apf/ap/nlist_h.dll/?lang=en >SUPER FORMULA Official Facebook : < https://www.facebook.com/superformula.official >SUPER FORMULA Official twitter: < https://twitter.com/SUPER_FORMULA >Visit the SUPER FORMULA official website <http://www.superformula.net/> for updates.

Ticket Information & Enquiries■ Advance purchase・Admission ticket (valid for both days)：¥4,000 ＋ MOTOPIA 1day passport (adult)：¥1,700 (High school & junior high school students)： ¥800 (Elementary school)： ¥600 (Over 3 years old and under elementary school)・Admission ticket (valid for both days)＋ MOTOPIA 1day passport：¥4,000 (adult)：¥4,000 (High school & junior high school students)：¥3,100 (Elementary school)：¥2,000 (Over 3 years old and under elementary school)

Group ticket◉ 3 person : ¥10,800 (¥3,600 per person)

・Admission ticket (valid for both days)◉ 4 person : ¥13,600 (¥3,400 per person)＋ MOTOPIA 1day passport■ At the door・Admission ticket◉ 5 person : ¥16,000 (¥3,200 per person)* Saturday：¥1,700 (adult)* Sunday：¥4,300 ＋ MOTOPIA 1day passport (adult)* Sat / Sun：¥1,700 (High school & junior high school students)* Sat / Sun： ¥800 (Elementary school)* Sat / Sun： ¥600 (Over 3 years old and under elementary school)

Ticket details: Please visit the SUZUKA CIRCUIT official website for more details.
< http://www.suzukacircuit.jp/superformula/ticket >FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT US AT :Japan Race Promotion Inc.

Heiando Building, 2-3-25

E-mail : media@superformula.net

Kudan-minami,Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

E-mail : media@jrp-inc.net

102-0074, JAPANTe l : +81 (0)3 3237 0131
Fax : +81 (0)3 3237 0135

GET TO KNOW THE BASICS■ WHAT IS SUPER FORMULA?
Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship is the top category of formula racing in Japan featuring purpose-built racing cars with a single-seat,
open cockpit and open wheels. Organized by Japan Race Promotion, Inc. and fully sanctioned by the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF), SUPERFORMULA traces back its origins to the Japanese Championship Formula NIPPON first launched in 1996. 2013 saw the re-launch of the series
under the new name of SUPER FORMULA.
■ ABOUT THE CHAMPIONSHIPThe 2017 Japanese SUPER FORMULA Championship Series is the only internationally accredited driver championship in Asia, run over seven*1rounds and six circuits across Japan. A total of 11 teams (entrants) and 19 drivers (cars) from Japan and overseas are competing to win this year’sseries.
*113 drivers from Japan and six from six other countries: New Zealand, Sweden, France, UK, Germany, and India

2017 CHAMPIOSHIP RACE CALENDARDATESCIRCUITQUALIFYING FORMATRACE FORMAT

Knockout

200km

Timed/Knockout

2-RacesRound 1

April 22 – 23

Suzuka Circuit

Round 2

May 27 – 28

OKAYAMA International Circuit

Round 3

July 8 – 9Fuji Speedway

Knockout

250km

Round 4

August 19 – 20

Twin Ring Motegi

Knockout

250km

Round 5September 9 – 10

AUTOPOLIS International Racing Course

Knockout

250km

Round 6

September 23– 24

Sportsland SUGO

Knockout

250km

Round 7*

October 21 – 22Suzuka Circuit

Knockout

2-Races*“The 16th JAF GRAND PRIX SUZUKA”

2017 CHAMPIONSHIP POINT SCORING SYSTEM
Winner

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

7th

8th

9th & beyondPP

1 race round

108

65

43

2

10

1

2 races round Race 15 (+3)

4

3

2.5

2

1.5

1

0.5

0

1

2 races round Race 25 (+3)

4

3

2.5

2

1.5

1

0.5

0

1

POSITION

Notes:
1) For 2-race formats, half the number of points shall be awarded in each of the two races except for pole position which brings one point for each race.
2) In Round 7 (Final Round) at Suzuka Circuit, the winner(s) in race 1 and race 2 shall be awarded an additional 3 points per race. Should the same driver take pole position and win in
both race 1 and race 2, he would earn a maximum of 18 points for the Round.
3) In the event of any ties for position, the driver or team with superior race results—based on descending order from number of wins to number of second places and so forth—will gain
precedence.
Rookie of the Year:
Should there be three or more rookie drivers participating for the first time in the SUPER FORMULA series, the rookie driver with the highest number of points at the end of the season
shall be named Rookie of the Year.
Team Points:a) Team Points are calculated by adding the points earned by the driver or drivers belonging to the team.
b) Should a team enter more than two cars at any race event, only the best two results shall be taken into account.
c) Pole position points shall not be included in the Team Points.

■ CHAMPIONSHIP AWARDSThe Drivers’ Championship title is awarded to the driver who scores the most points over the course of the season. The Champion is awarded
the Series Driver’s Champion Cup and prize money by Japan Race Promotion, Inc. In addition, the Champion receives the Confederation’s Cupfrom the Parliamentary Association for Motorsport Promotion of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, as well as the Commissioner’s Cup from theJapan Tourism Agency. For the Team Champion, the Minister’s Cup will be awarded by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, plus prize
money from Japan Race Promotion, Inc.

■ THE SUPER FORMULA MACHINE● Chassis

Since 2014, SUPER FORMULA race cars have used the SF14 chassis, which is made by Italian company Dallara and is based on the “quick andlight” design concept. The adoption of the SF14 chassis has led to a dramatic improvement in the quality of races, leading to greater interest inSUPER FORMULA overseas.
● Engines*2Honda and Toyota, two of Japan’s leading automakers, have developed engines for SUPER FORMULA based on the NRE engine concept , whichis part of each automaker’s efforts to develop next-generation engines. SUPER FORMULA cars are currently powered by the HONDA HR-417E orthe TOYOTA R14A.
All engines are fitted with fuel flow restrictors. By setting fuel flow limits, the key to winning races is how efficiently fuel can be converted into power.
Competitive development between automakers has resulted in a highly efficient engine with higher brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) and net
thermal efficiency better than hybrid vehicles currently on the market, helping to advance the development of next-generation engines.
*2NRE engine specifications
Honda, Toyota and Nissan together agreed on a number of criteria for race engines that incorporate environmental technology while also preserving theexcitement of motor sport.
Cylinder configuration : Inline-four
Displacement: 2,000cc + turbo

Fuel intake system: Direct injection

Fuel flow limits: 95kg/h for Suzuka and Fuji Speedway circuits, 90kg/h for other circuits● Overtaking System

SUPER FORMULA introduced an overtaking system (OTS) in 2009 as part of initiatives to make races more exciting. SUPER FORMULA was thefirst competition in the world to adopt this system. The OTS encourages drivers to make more overtaking maneuvers, one of the most exciting parts*3of motorsport. The SF14 OTS system uses the fuel flow restrictor fitted to engines to temporarily increase fuel flow to the engine, boosting power .
Drivers use a button on the steering wheel to activate the system for 20 seconds up to five times during a race or five times total for 2-race formats.
The Overtaking Lamps (OTL) on the roll hoop indicate when the system is in use, allowing spectators to see when drivers have activated their OTS.
The racing driver with the most Championship points has the distinction of an OTL with red lamps, called "leader’s red” whereas the other cars’ OTL
lamps are white.
*3Overtaking system specifications
Mechanism : Activating the overtaking system boosts fuel flow by 10kg/hImpact: Activating the overtaking system increases engine output by around 60PS, or 10%Rules: Drivers are allowed to use the system up to five times per race for 20 seconds, or five times total for 2-race formats.

● Tires

Yokohama Rubber became the sole tire supplier from the 2016 season. Yokohama Rubber’s ADVAN racing tires perform well against SUPERFORMULA’s rigorous criteria for grip, durability and safety, adding to the excitement of race events.