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| Gasly takes second straight SF victory http://www.gpupdate.net/en/autosport-news/...er-formula-win/Red Bull reserve driver Pierre Gasly secured his second straight Super Formula victory at Autopolis on Sunday. Team Mugen driver Gasly, who took his maiden triumph at the previous round at Motegi, started from fifth position and opted to do so on the Soft tyres, while his primary rivals elected to use the Mediums. That assisted him in being able to surge up to second on the opening lap, emerging as the primary opponent to pole-sitter Tomoki Nojiri, who converted his grid position into the lead. Gasly, unable to overhaul Nojiri on track, pitted for fresh Mediums on lap 23 of the 54-lap race, and put in a sequence of quick laps to ensure he captured the lead when Nojiri made his mandatory stop for Softs on lap 38. Nojiri ultimately dropped out of the points after colliding with Kamui Kobayashi, as Gasly went on to claim victory for the second straight race. Felix Rosenqvist also used strategy to leap into second position, having started from 10th, after making an early stop, allowing him to run in free air and jump rivals, finishing just 1.5 seconds behind Gasly. Gasly now holds second in the standings, 4.5 points behind 2015 champion Hiroaki Ishiura, and half-a-point in front of Rosenqvist. Gasly has repeatedly outlined that a seat in Formula 1 with Toro Rosso remains his target for 2018. |
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