Narain qualifies second for Docomo Dandelion at Suzaka season opener: Super Formula Japan Series
Suzuka (Japan), 18 April 2015: Narain Karthikeyan, the first Formula One driver from India, made a stunning start to the Super Formula Japan Series this year qualifying in second place for Sunday’s race with Docoma Dandelion team.
Narain who drove the series last year
with a Toyota engine shifted to Honda engine with the new team Dandelion and took time to settle down in the first qualifying session finishing fourth with a time of 1:39.188, a mere 0.53 seconds behind leader Naoki Yamamota, also in a Honda engine.
The Coimbatore-based Narain, then went on to top the time sheets in the second qualifier with a time of 1: 38.598 ahead of teammate Nojiri Tomoki in second and Yamamoto in third.
However in the third and final qualification, Narain finished second with a 1:38.870 behind Yamamota, who clocked 1:38.585. Narain’s teammate Tomoki could only qualify 7th in the third session with a time of 1:39.816.
Narain in car number 41 is raring to go and will start behind Yamamoto.
Earlier, the team hosted Narain Karthikeyan with a warm welcom. “In the first session I had to check the set up and could attack only in the last six minutes. I had a good start in the second session and managed to stay ahead. Despite the red flag and disruption
, I am happy with the position for tomorrow’s race. I have prepared well for the season,” said Karthikeyan.
“The team told me to prepare using the qualification to set up the car as I know both Toyota and Honda engine,” added Narain.
eom/with inputs from Tetsuya of Dandelion team
