Matsushita concluded a tricky season with an encouraging seventh-place end, having run as excessive as fourth forward of defending champion Tomoki Nojiri at one stage earlier than shedding floor to automobiles on more energizing tyres.
It adopted the occasions of Motegi in August, the place Matsushita was concerned within the crash triggered by Liam Lawson’s spin on the opening lap, which meant each the B-Max driver and Dandelion Racing’s Tadasuke Makino took new chassis for the Suzuka weekend.
Reflecting on by far his greatest weekend of the 12 months, Matsushita stated the brand new chassis was key to his revival, as he managed to spare B-Max a full season with out scoring factors.
“The actual fact we modified the chassis is the most important issue,” Matsushita instructed Motorsport.com. “Saturday was a bit unlucky due to the purple flag in Q2, however [on Sunday] we received via to Q2 once more and we did a superb job.
“Within the race we selected the minimal technique [pitting on lap 10], however the others went for the lengthy technique and I couldn’t maintain them again after they had recent tyres. It may need been higher to remain out for longer.
“With the brand new chassis every thing grew to become rather a lot simpler, we might analyse much more than earlier than. Whenever you change the anti roll-bar stiffness or one thing, you’ll be able to really feel it. It’s extra responsive. Earlier than it wasn’t like this.
“In fact we’re nonetheless missing some grip in comparison with the highest guys, so we have to analyse that, however the staff did a superb job.”
Regardless of escaping what he known as the “zero membership” of drivers that had failed to attain factors all 12 months, which additionally included Yuhi Sekiguchi and Raoul Hyman, Matsushita admits that his Suzuka displaying might have come too late to rescue his drive for 2024.
“For the time being I don’t have a seat,” he acknowledged. “I want to get one, however I believe it will likely be troublesome. You by no means know, I’ll maintain pushing till the top. Let’s see.”
Makino: “One thing improper” with new chassis
Then again, Makino suffered a disappointing finish to the 2023 season as he completed tenth within the remaining race at Suzuka, whereas Dandelion team-mate Kakunoshin Ota scored a primary victory.
Conversely to Matsushita’s good feeling in his new chassis, Makino reported that it felt like “one thing was improper with the aero” when requested to clarify his lack of efficiency.
“I don’t know what’s taking place within the automotive,” Makino instructed Motorsport.com. “It felt very completely different to the previous couple of rounds. It felt like no aero in every single place, typically an excessive amount of bouncing.
“Once I was behind [Yuji] Kunimoto and Matsushita, my straight line pace was actually gradual. The exit of corners was okay, however the finish of the straight was actually gradual, an excessive amount of bottoming or one thing like this.”
Makino wrapped up his fifth season in Tremendous Formulation sixth within the standings with a greatest end of second at Fuji in July, however nonetheless looking for his elusive first victory within the class.
The 26-year-old stated he was pissed off to primarily lose all of the progress he had made along with his Dandelion staff throughout the season within the crash that wrote off his earlier chassis.
“After the Fuji take a look at, we made an enormous step, however the massive drawback was [the crash at] Motegi,” acknowledged Makino. “I misplaced the nice feeling within the automotive. It’s been an upside-down season, a really troublesome state of affairs for me.
“I don’t learn about my plans for subsequent season but however for certain I’ll attempt to perceive what’s taking place within the automotive within the rookie take a look at [at Suzuka in December]. I’m wanting ahead to that.”
