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Lawson super formula title fierce crash

Lawson can almost forget Super Formula title after violent crash at Suzuka

28 October 2023 at 17:56
  • Tim Kraaij

Liam Lawson also looks to fall short of the Super Formula title. A violent crash at the Suzuka Circuit brought the race to an early end and the New Zealander's chances do not look particularly bright.

Lawson has set his sights on the Super Formula championship again after five Grands Prix in Formula 1. Although Lawson can no longer qualify for a seat at AlphaTauri, the young driver will be keen to show everyone at Red Bull his talent once again. That did not go according to plan at Suzuka.

Lawson can almost forget Super Formula

Lawson's qualifying was already disappointing, resulting in a seventh starting spot. Normally enough time to make up for that in the race, but that was not the case this time. On lap four, Hiroki Otsu ventured an overtaking move on Ukyo Sasahara in the famous 130R. This did not end well, with both men flying into the tyre stacks. Otsu walked away from the crash, and Sasahara was reportedly sent to the medical centre for checks with a concussion.

Repair work on the barriers eventually took too long, so race control decided to call off the race. The result after lap three was used as the result and only half points were handed out. Lawson was driving on P5 at the time of the crash but was classified sixth because he was driving there at the end of lap three.

It is a major setback for Lawson, who saw his direct competitors in the battle for the title finish first and second. Ritomo Miyata is first on 103.5 points, and Tomoki Nojiro (Lawson's teammate) is second on 97 points. Lawson himself is now third with 88.5 points. With three points in qualifying and 20 points for a win, Lawson could theoretically still be champion on Sunday, but the task has become a lot tougher.