For the second year running, Honda’s man proved he is the current class of the field in Super Formula, becoming the series’ first back-to-back champion since Tsugio Matsuda in 2007-08.
But Toyota’s resurgence meant he had to work hard to repel the threats of both Sacha Fenestraz and Ryo Hirakawa. Indeed, while Nojiri was the qualifying master, converting his frequent poles into wins was trickier, and it took him until the year’s final race at Suzuka to take a second win.
