Sacha Fenestraz returned to the podium to end the 2020 Super GT season at Fuji International Raceway.
The French-Argentinian driver and his Team Au Tom’s team-mate Yuhi Sekiguchi managed to finish the race in third position. The result was their fourth podium in eight races, and meant they finished the season fourth overall in the GT500 championship.
For the final round the weight ballast was removed from all of the cars on the grid, which gave Sacha the opportunity to show his talent behind the wheel. This weekend he wore a uniquely designed helmet that will be auctioned off in the coming weeks for the Kotsuiji charity, the design was created by seven year-old Nanami who won Sacha’s helmet competition earlier in the month.
Throughout the weekend Sacha was one of the fastest drivers, finishing third fastest in free practice on Saturday before finishing second in the first qualifying session, just six hundredths from pole. This sent them through to the second stage of qualifying where Yuhi Sekiguchi was able to claim third for Sunday’s race.
Like in the previous races this season, Sacha was behind the wheel of the Toyota for the first stint of the 65 lap race. He stayed in contention for the podium position with a professional but hard-fought drive before handing over the car to his team-mate on lap 24.
Eventually his team-mate crossed the line at the end of the race still in third position, with a gap to fourth of nearly 30 seconds.
Sacha was very happy with being back on the podium, explaining that he enjoyed his time on track.
« Todays race was great. We started from P3 and I had good fights on track with great drivers like [Ronnie] Quintarelli and [Heikki] Kovaleinen before handing the car over.
« We ended up on the podium for the fourth time this season. 50 percent of the Super GT races this year we have been on the podium, which I am very happy about. »
Sacha thanked Toyota and the Tom’s team for giving him the opportunity to drive in the GT500 class.
« I am very grateful for this opportunity that Toyota and also Tom’s have given me this season. I’m very grateful for them helping me get to where I am now. I have learnt a lot, and we have had a great season in Super GT. »
Sacha’s 2020 season concludes next month with the final two weekends of the Super Formula season with Kondo Racing. Next weekend there’s two races at Suzuka before the final race at Fuji on December 20.
Qualifyng : 3rd Sacha Fenestraz & Yuhi Sekiguchi
Race : 3rd Sacha Fenestraz & Yuhi Sekiguchi