In order to perfect his training, and thanks to new links with Toyota, Oliver Bearman discovered a Super Formula single-seater during a test in Japan at the end of last week, and he also drove for the first time at Suzuka on this occasion. .
The future Haas F1 driver enjoyed the single-seaters of the Japanese championship as much as the track he hit for the first time.
“I had a lot of fun. It’s my first time at Suzuka, and I was really happy to race here” Bearman said. “It's a very fast circuit, and the Super Formula was also very pleasant to drive. It's a lot lighter than Formula 2, but the chassis is the same.”
“The dimensions are very similar, but the car is much lighter. In low-speed corners you feel that it is much more agile. The Super Formula is a little slower on the straights because it doesn't There's no DRS in Super Formula, but in the corners the downforce is impressive – I could dance with this car.”
“Compared to F1, of course, it's a bit slower. But what impressed me most about Super Formula is its ability to take corners. It's very agile. The change of direction is very fast.”
“It's much, much lighter than a Formula 1 car. Of course, we're missing a bit of downforce, but the driving style is very similar to that of a Formula 1 car. It feels like a “Being in Formula 1 without DRS, so it's really, really nice.”
The Briton drove a Dallara-Toyota, and he was able to put it to good use despite a mechanical problem which slowed him down: “It was definitely a good test, very useful. I'm sad that I wasn't able to do all the laps I wanted.”
“We had a little problem in the afternoon with the turbo, which failed. But I still learned what I needed to, and I definitely gained a little more experience for next year's race.”
His time, 1.4″ from the test benchmark, is, according to him, positive: “I wasn't really able to go hard on new tires in the afternoon, but I still got to know the track, which was the main goal of this test. When I come back next year next time for the F1 race, I will be in a much better position.”
And Bearman was impressed by how popular the tryouts were with fans: “The fan turnout for a test is the best I've ever seen. I've never seen so many people for a test day, and their support has been incredible.”
“They were so kind and respectful, gave me little gifts and really took the time to see me. It was really a special feeling and I was happy to give them so much time, photos and photos. autographs as possible.”
“It's because of Toyota that I'm here. I have to say a big thank you to them for helping me get this test and making it possible. It was really a big step forward for me when I found out that it was an option and a possibility. I'm very excited to continue working with them next year. It's the start of a great partnership, I hope.”
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