WATCH: A spine-chilling crash at Suzuka’s 130R turn cause a race suspension in Super Formula

The race interruption resulted in the allocation of only half points, dealing a setback to Liam Lawson's championship quest.

WATCH: A spine-chilling crash at Suzuka’s 130R turn cause a race suspension in Super Formula

The terrifying crash at Suzuka Super Formula, involving Hiroki Otsu and Ukyo Sasahara (Credits: X)

The 130R at Suzuka is a perilous high-speed turn that poses extreme danger to drivers due to its sharpness. And the Super Formula race at Suzuka bore witness to how notorious the 130R corner is as it set the stage for a heart-stopping crash, sending shockwaves through the motorsport world. Lap four saw the harrowing as Hiroki Otsu, gunning for 17th place, ignited a high-speed collision.

The crash occurred on lap four at Suzuka’s 130R corner when Hiroki Otsu tried to overtake Ukyo Sasahara on the inside for 17th place. Their cars collided, sending both into the barriers. Otsu emerged unscathed, but Sasahara’s car appeared to take flight, partly disappearing beneath the figure-eight crossover at the Degner Curve. 

YouTube video

Miraculously, Sasahara remained conscious, although he was swiftly ushered to the medical center for a thorough checkup to ensure his well-being. The horrifying spectacle forced race officials into immediate action, deploying the safety car, ultimately culminating in the agonizing decision to halt the race due to the extensive barrier damage. Due to extensive barrier damage, the race was halted and never resumed, resulting in only half points being awarded to the top 10 finishers. 

FS Video

The crash’s brutality was evident as both cars slammed mercilessly into the unyielding barriers. Both drivers received a clean bill of health, but the sudden race stoppage served as a stark motorsport peril reminder. The championship standings bore the brunt of the crash’s impact. Tomoki Nojiri secured his third victory of the season, but it was Liam Lawson, the Red Bull junior, who bore the brunt of the day’s misfortune.

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The crash lands a massive blow to Liam Lawson’s championship charge

Having weathered a turbulent race at Motegi, where he collided with teammate Nojiri and landed outside the points, Lawson’s championship pursuit was already on shaky ground. The Suzuka race only deepened his woes, relegating him to sixth place due to a voided move on Sho Tsuboi at the start of lap four.

Liam Lawson, Red Bull junior
Liam Lawson, Red Bull junior (Credits: Planet F1)

With only one race remaining, Lawson trailed Ritomo Miyata, the championship leader, by a substantial 15-point margin. It was a bitter pill to swallow, contrasting with the closely contested title race that had been anticipated. The Kiwi driver’s championship bid holds the key to a coveted F1 seat, with the Milton-Keynes team closely monitoring his performance. They’ve been eyeing him since his stellar stint as Daniel Ricciardo‘s stand-in.

In summary, Suzuka’s Super Formula race ended abruptly after a horrifying crash at the treacherous 130R corner. While Tomoki Nojiri celebrated victory, the most gripping narrative was the significant setback to Liam Lawson’s championship dreams. He faces a formidable uphill battle, trailing Miyata by 15 points with just one race left to rekindle his title hopes. The crash, a stark reminder of the dangers in motorsport, reshaped the championship landscape.

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