Alexandre Imperatori produced a stirring comeback drive in round four of Formula Nippon at Motegi, Japan, today before demonstrating his battling qualities to hold on for a solid 11th place finish.
The Swiss rookie channelled his frustration of a recurring brake problem and Saturday’s qualifying result, where a miscalculation left him battling traffic on his only timed run, into a rousing display come raceday at a circuit infamous for its lack of overtaking opportunities.
Starting 17th, Imperatori’s charge began immediately with two positions gained in as many opening laps. His fight back would continue throughout the first stint as the 24-year-old incessantly climbed the order, breaking into the top ten by the time of his first pitstop on lap 14.
Having driven such a committed first stint, Imperatori was understandably aggrieved that a sticking front-left wheel cost him just enough time to rejoin 11th behind Yuji Kunimoto. It would take six laps to dispatch the Japanese F3 champion, all-but ending his chances of a points finish.
But if Imperatori was initially frustrated at having used the best of his fresh tyres bottled up in traffic, his priorities would soon change when a front wheel for the second time in the same afternoon significantly hampered his race.
Having made his final stop on lap 30, the SGC by KCMG driver returned to the action eager to mount a points-scoring challenge, only for a loose front-left wheel which had not been properly fitted at the second pitstop to upset the car’s balance and braking.
Although unable to catch those ahead, Imperatori was still able to pull clear of his closest challengers behind and reeled off the remaining laps to come home a hard-fought 11th.
Alex Imperatori: “It’s been a weekend of mixed emotions and probably an opportunity lost as well. Qualifying was obviously a big disappointment because my single run was ruined by traffic. I think that spurred me on today to prove that we had the pace to do much better. In the end my charge was spoilt by the loose wheel but personally I was really pleased with my performance. Motegi is not the easiest place to overtake but the car had a great balance in the first stint which allowed me to attack. I had been battling with Nakajima before my pitstop so there was certainly a chance of points before the issue. But having carried a brake problem all weekend and then suffered from the loose wheel, I guess you have to be content and take the positives.”
The following month promises to be a busy one for Alex with a trip to Suzuka coming on August 20/21 for the latest Super GT event. He will be back at the Japanese Grand Prix venue on September 3/4 for round five of Formula Nippon just one week after his Porsche Carrera Cup Asia championship bid resumes at Sepang, Malaysia.
