Strategic Brilliance Mark The Decider In FHolo JP's Tsukuba SP

Tsukuba, April 16th ー Round 3 of the 2024 Formula Hololive Japan Qualifiers, known as the Tsukuba SP, featured exciting racing action at the Tsukuba Circuit, showcasing drivers' skill and strategy. Drivers fought well and played their cards throughout both races in Splits A and B, vying for positions for Tsuyo Cup qualification.

The race weekend was delayed after issues from the host prevented the race from taking place in the original date of April 6-7. It was since rescheduled to the night of April 13-14.

Split A: Nakiri Ayame's Ryo Surprises, Domaschnev Dominates

With 525 points, Vladislav Domaschnev representing Aki Rosenthal won decisively in Split A and extended his lead in the Split A Qualifiers Standings.

With a remarkable strategy call to pit once in the middle stages of the race, Domaschnev finished two laps ahead of the rest of the field. He also displayed a strong record at Tsukuba where in two appearances in the Ibaraki Circuit, in both Hololive GT3 and Formula Hololive since 2023, he won both races he entered.

In the meantime, the Nakiri Ayame #18 car, driven by rookie Hoshizono Ryo, surprised everyone by taking pole position in qualifying and earning a podium finish of 3rd for the first time. Ryo's breakthrough performance helped the Ayame team secure 10th, demonstrating his potential in the qualifiers and as such, placed the team in the top 10 in Qualifers Split A, where qualification for the Tsuyo Cup is certain there.

But well-known competitors Kaminari Riba and Rustim Kurashio, who won the previous races at Fuji, encountered difficulties and didn't place inside the top ten this time. Alticer Antanarau, representing Nekomata Okayu, maintained his streak of top 10 placings by taking eighth place.

Split B: Deuxieme Outperforms, Nakamura Experiences Failure

The Split B entrants competed ferociously in Split B for valuable points and Tsuyo Cup qualification. But it was Maverick Deuxieme who scored Omaru Polka and the Za'in's first win in ARO competitions after acing the strategy just like how Domaschnev did, but only Takane Lui's Yu Chae-Yon got to finish one lap down to the race winner. Deuxieme started sixth this race, while Chae-Yon started 5th.

After finishing outside the top 15 in both the Split B and the Honeyworks Invitational, Shiranui Flare's Seo Byeong-Eun finished third after starting fifth, helping the team get back on the top 10 in Split B Qualifiers and be in the Tsuyo Cup spot with two races to go.

Returning in the Himemori Luna #31 car, Mohd Shazren Redza put on an exceptional show, finishing in fourth place and showcasing his driving prowess, further helping secure the team's spot in the Tsuyo Cup.

Hoshimachi Suisei's Daniel Barguer showed resiliency and determination in the face of pressure to perform, finishing in seventh place despite being spun out late in the race and as a result, he has put himself in contention to qualify for the Tsuyo Cup.

Polesitter Mohd Shaqif Redza for Momosuzu Nene could only brag about the pole position spot earned this race as he only finished 8th, and Hiyuta Asano drove the Minato Aqua #9 car with the intention of improving the team's position, but he finished fifteenth and only managed to score one point.

While Airi Nakamura of Akai Haato, who had been riding high after placing third in the previous race, was disappointed to finish last in Split B, which hurt her chances of qualifying for the Tsuyo Cup. "Yeah, I didn't cook this time", said Nakamura in interviews.

The Formula Hololive Japan Qualifiers are known for their intense competition high-stake strategy calls, and the Tsukuba SP highlighted these qualities. This will create an exciting and dramatic environment for the championship's next round at Suzuka, as the Mie SP looms in early May.