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Tadasuke Makino’s emotional victory at Autopolis stands out as a defining moment in the Super Formula season. The driver for Dandelion Racing not only celebrated this significant success but also leveraged it to solidify a strong challenge for the championship, securing another victory at Motegi and positioning himself as a formidable contender against Sho Tsuboi, right up until the last race of the season.
In the realm of Super GT, Makino continued to showcase his skills, playing a pivotal role in leading Team Kunimitsu to a commendable second place in the standings during the inaugural season of the innovative Honda Civic Type R-GT. Throughout the season, Makino often outperformed his more seasoned teammate, Naoki Yamamoto, highlighting his growing prowess in the sport.
Dandelion Racing Team Principal Kiyoshi Muraoka Reflects on Makino’s Season
Since his entry into Super Formula in 2019, following a solitary season in Formula 2, Makino has faced a lengthy wait for success. Throughout this time, he watched as fellow competitors like Alex Palou and Toshiki Oyu celebrated victories with other teams. After transitioning to Dandelion Racing in 2021, other drivers continued to clinch wins—including Nirei Fukuzumi and then-rookie Kakunoshin Ota—leaving Makino to question when his moment would arrive.
Fortunately for him, Dandelion Racing regained its competitive edge in the latter part of 2023, creating an environment that suggested a breakthrough was on the horizon. This promising form extended into the start of 2024, allowing Makino to finally break through. Team principal Kiyoshi Muraoka praised Makino’s key role in Dandelion’s resurgence, highlighting his determination and focus as crucial components of his performance.
“When he sets his sights on a goal, he never gives up. Even in challenging times, he remains focused on what he needs to achieve,” Muraoka stated. “His strategic approach to the processes required has been evident.”
Makino himself recognized that his first win at Autopolis fundamentally altered his perspective. With that significant hurdle surpassed, he directed his efforts towards the complex task of building a title challenge. From that point forward, he consistently finished in the top five until the final race, where an ambitious strategy regarding vehicle setup ultimately did not yield the desired result.
“Since claiming that victory, he has become more composed and shifted his aspirations towards contesting for the championship. Getting that win early in the season proved to be vital.”
Overall, Tadasuke Makino’s recent achievements place him in an excellent position to launch a serious challenge for the Super Formula title in the coming years.
Source
www.autosport.com