[EWC] 8 Hours of Suzuka J2: Yamaha regains control

The 67 crews of the 8 Suzuka 2019 Hours met today for two test sessions of one hour each on the Japanese circuit.

The weather conditions were the same as the day before, with bright sunshine and a 50° track.

During the first session, at the beginning of the afternoon, the Red Bull Honda #33 official confirmed his velocity in 2'07.230 in the hands of Takumi Takahashi in his 2nd flying lap. The least we can say is that the Japanese driver knows his machine and knows how to use it!

To compare, Stefan bradl then only ran in 2'10...

Behind, pointed the Yamaha #21 official led by Katsuyuki Nakasuga who achieved 2'07.908 in his 4th flying lap.

Interesting point, the Yamaha crew appears for the moment more homogeneous than that of the Honda since Alex Lowes recorded a 2'07.949 and Michael van der Mark a 2'08.432.

Dominique Aegerter made the Honda #634 from MuSASHi RT HARC-PRO in 2'07.981 but, like the leading Honda, the crew does not yet appear very homogeneous in terms of performance.

During the 2nd session, Katsuyuki Nakasuga responded firmly by signing the best of the day in 2'06.798 during his 2nd lap launched on the handlebars of the Official Yamaha #21, his teammates  Alex Lowes et Michael van der Mark being in 2'08.025 and 2'09.599.

Behind, the FCC TSR Honda France #1 made a very brief appearance in the hands of Mike Di Meglio who, during a single flying lap, recorded the 2nd fastest timed lap of the session, in 2'07.178.

Then came to position itself YART Yamaha #7 with Niccolò Canepa in 2'07.233 while Broc Parkes ran in 2'08.819 and Marvin Fritz in 2'08.843

Then followed the spearhead of Honda, with Takumi Takahashi in 2'07.374 during a run that was still very short.

In the end, Official Yamaha #21 plays its cards with very good speed and excellent homogeneity of its drivers, while the HRC Honda, inherently a little faster at the moment, seems to be failing in this area. For now…

The good surprise comes from the teams FCC TSR Honda France et YART extension who prove ready to take over in the event of their leader's failure, while conversely, the small disappointment comes from the team Official Kawasaki, for the moment in retreat, even with Jonathan Rhea. For now…

A final session is scheduled for Friday morning at Suzuka from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. for official free practice before starting qualifying.
Saturday will be devoted to the Top10 Trial, a special Superpole at the Suzuka 8 Hours where the first ten places on the starting grid are redefined on the basis of the best performances on a flying lap.

Combined ranking of the 2nd day of testing: