Breaking news
Super Formula Suzuka II
Sato, Nakajima complete 2019 Super Formula demo
Super Formula's new-for-2019 car was demonstrated by Japanese aces Takuma Sato and Kazuki Nakajima ahead of Sunday's Suzuka season finale.
Jamie Klein
Edited: Sep 29, 2023, 2:14 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
IndyCar regular Sato - who made a handful of Super Formula appearances in 2012 and '13 - was at the wheel of a Honda-powered SF19 development machine (pictured above, 11), while TOM'S driver Nakajima piloted its Toyota-powered sister car (00).
The pair each completed four laps on Sunday morning in the Dallara-built cars that will replace the outgoing SF14 after the Suzuka race.
Series organisers confirmed on Friday that the SF19 will use the halo cockpit protection device that has become standard in Formula 1 and its feeder categories.
Although Sato never raced the SF14 car, he had tested it ahead of its introduction four years ago, and said that the SF19 felt "very different" to its predecessor.
"There was a lot of downforce," remarked the 41-year-old. "It has power steering which was hard for me to get used to [IndyCar doesn't have it], but it was very enjoyable to drive.
"I didn't realise the car's full potential, but I pushed a little harder on the second and third laps."
A two-day test will take place at Suzuka on Monday and Tuesday for teams and drivers to familiarise themselves with the SF19.
Additional reporting by Tomohiro Yoshita
Kazuki Nakajima (VANTELIN TEAM TOM’S) and Takuma Sato
Photo by: Masahide Kamio
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Late-night parts run transformed Cassidy's Suzuka fortunes
Next article Suzuka Super Formula: Yamamoto snatches title from Cassidy
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jamie Klein
Super Formula Fuji: Ayumu Iwasa wins as Kakunoshin Ohta misses chance to seal title
Super Formula
Super Formula
Fuji II
Super Formula Fuji: Ayumu Iwasa wins as Kakunoshin Ohta misses chance to seal title
Super Formula Fuji: Igor Fraga wins while Kakunoshin Ohta closes on title
Super Formula
Super Formula
Fuji II
Super Formula Fuji: Igor Fraga wins while Kakunoshin Ohta closes on title
More from
Takuma Sato
Ed Carpenter explains why he was so angry with Takuma Sato
IndyCar
IndyCar
110th Running of the Indianapolis 500
Ed Carpenter explains why he was so angry with Takuma Sato
Takuma Sato set for Indy 500 return with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
IndyCar
IndyCar
110th Running of the Indianapolis 500
Takuma Sato set for Indy 500 return with Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing
Honda shares sneak peek of Takuma Sato preparing for Williams FW11 Tokyo Auto Salon run
Formula 1
Formula 1
Barcelona-Catalunya Pre-Season Testing
Honda shares sneak peek of Takuma Sato preparing for Williams FW11 Tokyo Auto Salon run
Latest news
Winners and losers from a Chase-altering NASCAR Cup race at Phoenix
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
1 h
Winners and losers from a Chase-altering NASCAR Cup race at Phoenix
Heart of Racing rules Valkyrie GTP step next year ‘too soon’ for IMSA standout Barrichello
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 1 h
Heart of Racing rules Valkyrie GTP step next year ‘too soon’ for IMSA standout Barrichello
Sergio Perez: Debut Cadillac season "without a doubt one of my best years"
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
2 h
Sergio Perez: Debut Cadillac season "without a doubt one of my best years"
McLaren to use final 2026 developments to test 2027 F1 car concepts
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1 2 h
McLaren to use final 2026 developments to test 2027 F1 car concepts
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe