Ishiura takes title, typhoon halts Gasly

IT WAS TYPHOON LAN THAT DECIDED the outcome of the Super Formula Championship. Fans and drivers were denied a dramatic end to the season when the double-header at Suzuka was cancelled after qualifying, leaving Cerumo-inging’s Hiroaki Ishiura champion, and Red Bull junior Pierre Gasly no opportunity to beat his rival. Despite a tricky start to his rookie season, Gasly became a championship contender after taking his maiden win at Motegi, which was quickly followed by his and Honda-powered Team Mugen’s inspired use of the newly introduced soft tyres to claim victory at the next round at Autopolis. At Sugo, the 2016 GP2 champion nearly made it three on the bounce, trailing Yuhi Sekiguchi by a mere 0.24 seconds across the line. His run of form seemed set to continue at the Suzuka finale, where he was to start just half a point behind points leader Ishiura. If Gasly had taken pole position for either race at the double-header the title would have been his, but those vital points instead went to Andre Lotterer and Jann Mardenborough. Gasly had given up the chance to race in Formula 1 for Toro Rosso at Austin that weekend, but the weather meant that it was all for nothing. Ishiura had become the man to beat through his consistency rather than a dramatic sweep of victories. He took just one win, but was the only driver to finish in the points at every race. The 2015 champion took victory at Fuji after his team-mate, Yuji Kunimoto, retired. Kunimoto ended the year eighth, while Toyota squad Cerumo-inging retained the teams’ title. Third in the championship went to Formula E star Felix Rosenqvist, who claimed three podiums during his rookie campaign with Team Le Mans. Sekiguchi took victories at Okayama and Sugo, but too many non-scores scuppered any hope of a title bid for the Team Impul star. The TOM’S pairing took a win apiece, with opening-round victor Kazuki Nakajima finishing in fifth overall and Lotterer in sixth.