Okayama International Race Circuit, Japan
Photo Credits: © Wataru Tamura Photography (Member JRPA*)
2025 Super Formula Lights | Japan
Okayama International Race Circuit
Round 3 | Races 7, 8, & 9
June 20-22 | 2025
Okayama Highlights:
Practices: 1st – 3rd in all practice sessions
Qualifying Race 1 Position: 6th Place
Race 1 Finish: 4th Place
Qualifying 2 Position: 7th Place
Race 2 Finish: 7th Place
Race 3 Start Position: 4th Place (start based on finish order of Race 1)
Race 3 Finish: 3rd Place
Championship Position: 4th Place
Practice Sessions | June 20th: 1st through 3rd Fastest (All sessions)
In the first event of the Japanese Super Formula Lights 2025 championship, Kaylen quickly came to terms with the track and grip, with strong promise for the qualifying and races in the weekend ahead.
Qualifying | June 21st
Qualifying 1 & 2: 6th & 7th Positions
Struggling with optimal grip, fast laps were challenging and Kaylen Frederick qualified in 6th for Race 7 and 7th place for Race 8. The outcome was surprising after Kaylen ran in the top three during practice sessions going into the race weekend. Head down and all eyes on start lights for the upcoming races.
Kaylen Frederick comments on qualifying sessions 1 & 2:
“We were quite disappointed with where we ended up in qualifying, especially after our strong pace in practice the day before. We are not entirely sure what went wrong yet, but we have some time before Sugo to look through everything, find our issue, and correct it for qualifying at the Sugo round.”
Race 7 | June 21st | Saturday
Starting Positions: 6th Place
Finish Positions: 4th Place
Kaylen launched the car well and overtook in turns 9 & 10, advancing to 5th place. Similarly in lap 2, Kaylen’s grip remained strong and he moved into 4th place after heavy braking in Turn 6, a position he held until the race finish.
Kaylen Frederick on Race 7:
“Our start was decent, and we were able to make up some spots in the opening stages of the race. The race pace was good. We were closing in on 3rd place towards the end of the race, but had to hold off due to pressure from behind which took away our forwards momentum. Overall, I am happy we could make up a few spots, and improve our starting position for race 3. We’ll make this work for us in that race.”
Race 8 | June 22nd | Sunday
Starting Position: 7th Position
Finish Position: 7th Position
Starting the 2nd race of the weekend in 7th position, Kaylen Frederick was unable to use the launch to advance. In a pack and stuck in behind a teammate, Kaylen was overtaken and dropped back to 8th. Managing tire wear throughout the race, Kaylen maintained enough grip to make an overtake toward the race end and regain 7th. Working on another overtake, the race ran out of laps and Kaylen finished in 7th.
Kaylen Frederick on Race 2:
“Our getaway off the line wasn’t ideal, which cost a position after turn two. Since it is so difficult to overtake, I shifted my focus towards saving tires to have a chance later in the race to attack and gain positions. With 4 laps to go I made a move up to 7th. I needed another lap or two to attack for another position, that would have included championship points, but the race ended. Looking at the positives, we had a strong showing of our race pace once again.”
Race 9 | June 22nd | Sunday
Starting Position: 4th Position
Finish Position: 3rd Position & Podium!
The grid for this 9th round was decided based on the results of the previous day’s 7th round, and Nomura Hayato (HFDP WITH B-MAX RACING) took pole position. Kobayashi Rikkito (Mobility Chukyo TOM’S TGR-DC SFL) was in 2nd place on the front row. Zach David (B-MAX RACING 324) and Kaylen Frederick (Pilot ONE Racing with B-MAX) lined up in the second row, and Yuuki Sano (Mobility Chukyo TOM’S TGR-DC SFL) and Yusuke Mitsui (DELiGHTWORKS) in the third row.
On lap 1, Frederick overtook Zach David in Turn 1 moving up to 3rd position. Entering the third lap the rankings began to settle down and the gap between the top four – Nomura, Kobayashi, Frederick and David – widened. From the middle of the race onwards, there was no change in the rankings of the top runners, with Kaylen Frederick continuing his streak of a podium at every race weekend!! Kudos to Kaylen Frederick, BMAX Racing, Kenichi Hasegawa san, and Motoyama san!!!!
Kaylen Frederick on Race 3 and the Okayama weekend:
(Pilot ONE Racing with B-MAX/Car No.58/B-MAX RACING TEAM)
“I’m positive that we were able to get at least one podium in this third round. This weekend we were fast in the special sports run and private run, but the results in qualifying were not so good. We need to find out the cause, and although we didn’t have many races this week where we could aim for the podium, I think it was good that we were able to get one podium in this Round 9. There was a little contact at the start of the race, which damaged the diffuser, and I think that also had an impact on our lack of pace. The next track is SUGO, which I had the impression was a very good fit for me last year, and I think my first pole position was also at SUGO. I’d like to put together a good race so that I can get a good result.”
Championship Round-up: 4th Place
Next on the Calendar:
2025 Japan Super Formula Lights F3 | Round 4 | Races 10, 11, & 12
Sugo International Race Circuit
August 29-31
Circuit Length: 3.7 KM | 2.3 Miles
About B-MAX Racing
For more information about B-MAX Racing:
http://www.b-maxracing.co.jp/
About Kaylen Frederick
For more information visit:
https://KaylenFrederick.com/
About Pilot ONE Racing
Pilot ONE Racing supports and assists young race drivers in developing professional driving careers, seeking funding, and reaching the highest level of motorsports in both the USA and Europe.
For more information visit ‘Contact Info and Partnerships’ at:
https://PilotONERacing.com
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