Comments from 2008 Formula Nippon Drivers

I was able to become the champion last year, and will go for this year as well. But I want to win, and especially at Suzuka. The car's color has changed and refreshed, and will be ready for the new season as a fresh feeling. Personally, I married, and will do my best for my "wife", and earn a lot.

I would like to retain the car-number one. We will miss last year's sponsor, but on the other hand, it is great to agree with a major sponsor, LAWSON, this year. Unfortunately, I will not be able to buy for free at LAWSON. I think that we are a very strong team, so will do our best to expand the image of LAWSON.

I feel refreshed after moving the team, but want to obtain the results since this is my third year in Formula Nippon. Mr. Kondo has prepared me a winner's package, and I would like to do my best to answer his expectation. When I became Formula Toyota champion, I was a member of the KONDO RACING's junior development program. Since then, he has been assisting me, therefore, would like to win for the first time for him.

I want to win multiple times this year, and improve the car further. In particular, tighten the qualifying setup since I wasn't quite able to be at the good position. But if I am to, I will be able to compete for the podium for most races. This year, our team will be able to share the data than ever before, and Yokomizo and I have gained years of experience. We are expecting to drive a well set-up car, and have a great season.

This year, I would like to obtain the championship points since I wasn't able to do it last year because of the troubles, and possibly, be on the highest of the podium. I was driving for Team 5ZIGEN in 2004, so I was able to adapt to the team easily. I greatly appreciate the team president, Mr. Kinoshita, for giving me the opportunity, and would like to win as the gift for him.

This will be my second year as the member of team 5ZIGEN. I have never driven two straight years for the same team, and would like to take advantage of staying at the same team. At the same time, revise from last year what went wrong and good, set up the car, earn points in the first race, and compete the season with that flow. I will try to show my appreciation to Mr. Kinoshita by the result.

I moved to Team LeMans this year, but if I have a sole goal, that will be to win at the opening race of the season. I will be 80% satisfied if I can do so. After reviewing each team's flow for the last few years, it will not be easy as expected after the first test run. In the mean time, it will be excited and worthwhile to have a new challenge. I would like to consider how to win the race, and execute.

I would like to win for the first time after following Mr. Motoyama's technique. He has requested many things to the team, but this has proven that he has a confidence. After listening to his opinion, I can feel the motivation of the team rising, which I would like to learn. Also, Mr. Hattori, director of performance, has taught me a secret of the strength of how Mr. Motoyama creates the flow, so I would like to absorb this quickly, and respond to their expectations.

My minor goal is to win once in the season, and the major goal is to be in the top five in the standings. I desperately want to win once since I can compete in the best condition, and aiming to be in the top five even though I am a rookie. There will be different knowledge with the experienced drivers about the car and circuits, but I would like to cut them down.

Of course, we would like to be a champion since our team was very strong last year, and have the strength to compete this year. All teams have the same goal, but I would like to obtain the driver's championship with my teammate. I know it wouldn't be easy because other drivers are getting faster, but would like to finish consistently in a good result throughout the season.

I want to drive a good race as I did last year. But last year, I wasn't able to obtain good result at the end, so I will try my best to have it this year. It will be my fifth year as the member of PIAA NAKAJIMA, but it is a great team. Hopefully, I can dedicate and be the champion for the team.

I hope this year will be the collaboration of 2006 and 2007 season. I had a luck in 2006, and speed in 2007, which I need both this year. If so, we will have a chance to obtain the title. It is great to confirm the sponsorship with a major company, PETRONAS, and it is my pleasure to drive in PETRONAS color. I will do my best since it will be a positive thing for Japanese motorsport.

Every year is a "battle" as well as this year. It will be my second year as the member of TEAM TOM'S, but we are able to pre-test in this week at Fuji Speedway, and will definitely able to start positively. Therefore, of course, I would like to have a better result than last year and do my best. I will try for the podium, and hopefully for the top since last year's best for me was forth. I will push myself every time.

I think that there are no rookies who have many experience as I have, but I have been considering "to race in the top category in Japan," when I left Japan. Therefore, I greatly appreciate DoCoMo, Honda, and Mr. Muraoka for achieving this team. I would like to compete for the winner every race since I haven't won for the last four years.

I didn't drive in Formula Nippon last year, but I personally want to win since there aren't many drivers who hadn't won the race by being the pole sitter and getting on the podium for many times in the past. After a year of absence, I was able to reconfirm myself that "I love the race." I greatly appreciate for inviting me to the team, and honorably, want to respond to the expectation.

In this series, it is necessary and important to have driver and engineer's experience. From that point of view, we are classified in the top level, since INGING will be the third year, and fourth year for myself. Therefore, we can consistently be in the high standings each race. Even though my car number has changed to 47, I would like the car number to be one by becoming the champion.

Even though the team structure has changed to CERUMO/INGING, I have had no problem being part of the team since I have known many of the team members. The engineer will be my first time partnering, but I would like to communicate with him as soon as possible. Because of the good teammate, we can share the data, and realistically, due to the three-car-structure, we would like to defeat teams such as IMPUL and PIAA NAKAJIMA by consciously having the rivalry and cooperation at the same time.

I will do my best to win this year since I wasn't able to do so last year, and went only once on the podium. Even though the team structure will change this year, I hope to be better with cooperating with Izawa. It will be my first time driving this year, but I cannot wait for the test at Suzuka. Hopefully I can finish the necessity program.

When I was driving in Formula 3, I watched Formula Nippon every time, and the qualifying round seemed to be very heated, so I would like to test myself how I can drive in this race. And because I haven't driven since last year's rookie test, I am eager to drive in the Formula Nippon car immediately. Due to the new team structure, and cooperating with Ide to set up the car faster, I would like to win as soon as possible.

I have to learn everything this year. Tire, car, qualifying, long distance race, and pit stop, and I know it won't be easy to do so. But hopefully, consistently rank in the top ten in the early stages. Then aim for the podium or win the race in the late stage of the season by setting up the car in a good condition.

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