18 June: Weather: Fine  Temperature: 28℃　Track Conditions: Dry, 44℃

・Qualifying – P11 (1’05.535)

19 June: Weather: Fine  Temperature: 30℃　Track Conditions: Dry, 43℃

・Race – P16

Sunday, 19^th June, saw Sportsland SUGO, in Miyagi Prefecture, host Round 5 of the 2022 All-Japan Super Formula Championship. Ren Sato, at the wheel of TEAM GOH’s No. 53 car, started the race from 10^th, one place higher than his qualifying position due to a grid penalty served on another competitor. Having finished the 53-lap race in 16^th position, he now heads into the second half of the season with a total of five points.

◆Ren Sato, Driver

“I had very good pace in sectors 1 and 2 in my first qualifying attempt in SUGO, but I made a mistake in sector 3 which left me with a disappointing result. In Sunday’s race I kept pushing, but towards the end I overdid it, spun, and finished in 16^th place.”

“Looking back on the first half of the season, my qualifying at the opening round in Fuji was good, but then my performance dropped away. However, here in SUGO my qualifying performance improved, and I felt I had made a step forward.  Also at each race my starts are

getting better, so returning to Fuji next month, where I got a front row start at the opening round, I want to qualify up front, get a good start and aim for the podium.”

◆Masashi Yamamoto, Team Director

“We have made it clear right through the last four rounds, from Fuji, through Suzuka and Autopolis to here at Sugo that we wanted to produce a car that suited Ren’s driving style as well as the car’s performance.  Our direction was right, but there were things we hadn’t finished in the 90-minute FP1 session. However, we got through Q1 and in Q2 Ren showed his amazing speed with some aggressive driving in sectors 1 and 2 and although he unfortunately went off the track in sector 3, he showed us hope, and we were able to prove here in SUGO we are going in the right direction. As Team Director I regret the fact the race went in a conservative direction, but once again Ren has taught me we have to be aggressive, and in our next race in Fuji I want to keep pushing hard.”

“As a team we got to understand the drivers and what they wanted from their cars in the first half of the season. Now we are trying new things and hoping the second half of the season will bring us a turnaround in the points standings. Even though our drivers are rookies, I’m hoping we can get on the podium and even aim for a win.”

◆Ryan Dingle, Engineer

“The car I brought here to Sugo had a different set-up and the adjustments were completed well before qualifying. I think we competed quite well in qualifying although Ren lost his rhythm and made a mistake in sector 3 which resulted in an unexpected position. I think Ren made a good start in the race, but two safety car incidents in the first 10 laps meant we had to decide whether to stay out or box (pit).  I chose to box because I thought there was a good chance there would be another safety car incident. Initially Ren was unable to drive at his own pace, but as the new tyres kicked in, and determined to finish in the points, and I think I pushed him too hard which caused him to spin, and for that I am very sorry.  It was the second time this season I’ve made a mistake in choosing the wrong strategy which means I have a lot of work to do in the upcoming races.”

“Our next round this season takes us back to Fuji. We will bring a car with a good set-up and try from the start of qualifying to be as far ahead as possible in order to have a good race.”