Motul-backed #1 TEAM MUGEN’s Tomoki Nojiri secured yet another impressive win, achieving a dominant pole-to-win victory at Round 7 of the thrilling Super Formula 2023 championship which took place from 17th to 20th August at the renowned Mobility Resort Motegi. Nojiri had previously clinched a win in the championship’s opening round at Fuji International Speedway and has found himself on top of the podium once again. With this victory, the defending champion is just 10 points behind the top of the Drivers’ Standing.
Mobility Resort Motegi is a world-class race track known for its unique layout featuring dual oval tracks. The 2.4-kilometer track is ideal for fast-paced races like Super Formula, testing the drivers’ skills by combining sections within the infield and a smaller portion of the oval track. The track mimics the undulating behavior of Japanese roads, making it the perfect testing ground for Motul lubricants that would be used by road cars. Motul also carefully studies the effects of the tropical Asian climate on the performance of its products when pushed to the maximum in such a highly competitive racing series.
Despite the challenging layout of the track, Nojiri managed to rise to the ranks starting from pole position and maintaining the lead until the end. The triumph brought overwhelming joy to TEAM MUGEN Director Tanaka, who exclaimed, “Nojiri has encountered difficulties with his speed. However, during this weekend’s qualifying session, the entire team analyzed the main areas of concern and as a result, Nojiri regained his speed and secured the pole position.” Echoing the sentiments of his team’s director, the #1 TEAM MUGEN driver affirmed, “In previous rounds, I had struggled in achieving any results. However, this weekend my speed was exceptional!”
Nojiri has been a top player in the motorsports scene since he was a young teen, starting his racing journey in karting, gradually advanced to Japanese Formula 3 and later conquered the Super Formula, securing consecutive championship titles in 2021 and 2022. The Japanese racer is eager to defend his title for the third consecutive year and expresses, “As I get ready for the last race at Suzuka where I’m competing for the championship, I feel really excited about my goal of winning for the third time in a row.” In fighting for the top spot, the TEAM MUGEN driver reveals that he feels confident in the Motul 300V-powered Honda HR-417E. “Thanks to Motul’s lubricants, I can confidently push myself to the limits. I feel grateful for their support and continue to do my best in the next race.”. Motul continues to work closely with valuable partners like Nojiri and TEAM MUGEN to learn more about the needs of its customers and identify areas of improvement.
Now with just one race remaining, TEAM MUGEN boasts an impressive tally of four wins out of the seven races held so far which showcases Motul’s continuous support to be a contributing factor to the teams’ successes. “The corrections we made at Motegi, addressing the issues we have been facing, were reflected in the race results, and it was great to see Nojiri regain his true speed,” says the TEAM MUGEN Director Tanaka following the success of the team. For years, Motul and MUGEN have had a rich motorsports history together and the long-standing partnership is marked by highlights both on and off the racing circuit. 
The companies have taken their collaboration to the next level by formulating the High Performance Engine Oil MS-P 0W-30, which modifies advanced racing technologies to become suitable for consumer-grade oils. Everyday consumers can enjoy the racing-grade technology that Motul transfers into its entire product range and refines continuously as modern engine requirements evolve.
As the Super Formula championship draws near its conclusion, Motul remains steadfast in its commitment not only by supplying high-quality products but also to providing meticulous analysis during race weekends, ensuring TEAM MUGEN’s path to victory.