After the disappointment of a poor outing at Okayama last month, the three PETRONAS Team Tom's drivers were back in full force at the Suzuka International circuit for rounds 5 and 6 of the All Japan Formula 3 Championship last weekend.

PETRONAS TEAM TOM'S
Rd 5 & 6, 2009 All-Japan Formula 3 Championship
Suzuka International Circuit, Mie Pref.
16-17 May 2009

Weather:
Qualifying Rain / Wet  | Rd.5 Rain / Wet | Rd.6 Cloudy / Dry
Temperature: 17 - 20 ºC (Ambient) 18 - 23ºC (Track)

Race format:
Rd.5 - 5.807Km × 12Laps 
Rd.6 - 5.807Km × 17Laps

Car number	Driver	Round 5		Round 6
		Qualifying	Race	Qualifying	Race
1	Marcus Ericsson	2nd	Winner	2nd	2nd
36	Takuto Iguchi	4th	2nd	3rd	3rd
37	Yuji Kunimoto	5th	3rd	P.P.	Winner

After the disappointment of a poor outing at Okayama last month, the three PETRONAS Team Tom's drivers were back in full force at the Suzuka International circuit for rounds 5 and 6 of the All Japan Formula 3 Championship last weekend. The trio dominated proceedings throughout the weekend from the free practice through to the race on Saturday and Sunday. Marcus Ericsson and Yuji Kunimoto also collected their maiden wins in the championship.

Qualifying
The poor and varying weather conditions over the course of the weekend did little to hamper the efforts by the three drivers. Setting the fastest lap time to take pole position for round 5 was the Swede Ericsson with his teammates Iguchi and Kunimoto taking 3rd and 4th, respectively in the slippery conditions. Qualifying to determine the grid for round 6 was also held under similar conditions. This time, it was the turn of Yuji Kunimoto to claim his maiden pole position start ahead of Ericsson and Iguchi in 2nd and 3rd, respectively.

Race
A good start from pole for the first race on Saturday ensured Ericsson a comfortable lead ahead of his teammates Iguchi and Kunimoto, who were left to battle it out behind the Swede. Pulling ahead from the rest of the field, the trio claimed the team's first clean sweep of the weekend with Ericsson claiming his first lights-to-flag finish ahead of Iguchi and Kunimoto in 2nd and 3rd, respectively.


Though conditions were similar to the previous day, the track was dry enough for the team to run on slick tyres. Starting from pole position, Kunimoto led the race though his teammates Ericsson and Iguchi remained very close to the youngster through to the chequered flag. The three PETRONAS TOM'S cars finished within 1.4 seconds of each other with their closest rivals over 15 seconds adrift. 

Marcus Ericsson, #1 (SWE) - Winner (Rd5), 2nd Rd6)
"It was a really nice feeling to win a race here in Japan. I really struggled in Okayama but now I feel more at ease and am more comfortable with the Japanese racing scene. Both races this weekend were really tough physically but I really enjoyed racing against my teammates!"

Takuto Iguchi, #36 (JPN) - 2nd (Rd5), 3rd (Rd6)
"Round 5 was a really tough race especially in the wet! The visibility was poor because it was raining quite heavily. Meanwhile, I could not really make up position at the start of round 6. I was not able to win this weekend but I am really proud and happy for my team and my teammates, as I get to race at a very high level with them!"

Yuji Kunimoto, #37 (JPN) - 3rd (Rd5), Winner (Rd6)
"At the start of the season, I was really off the pace compared to my teammates. But now I am on par with them and was able to get my first F3 win in my career this weekend. I had a really good start for round 6 and Marcus really pushed and pressured me throughout but I managed to pull out a lead to win. I really look forward to more wins!"

Masanori Sekiya, Team Director
"The three boys really showed-off two fantastic races this weekend here in Suzuka. Marcus was back on his solid pace, Takuto also produced a solid drive though he could not get a win. Yuji meanwhile has learned a lot in such a short time and to come away with his maiden pole position and very first win is great. I am delighted with our form this weekend and now look forward to the coming rounds!"