Ota’s first win may have been slightly overshadowed by the drama of the title battle, but the 24-year-old rookie deserves plaudits for becoming only the fourth different driver to stand on the top step of the podium in 2023 after Lawson, Tomoki Nojiri and Ritomo Miyata.
After qualifying second behind poleman Lawson, Ota said he had no desire to get involved in the championship fight, half-joking that in an ideal situation he would be able to pass the Red Bull junior off the line and leave Lawson, Nojiri and Miyata to fight it out behind.
