FNippon: Firman, Lyons one-two

The result marked the first time Brits have finished first and second in a Formula Nippon race since 1991 when Eddie Irvine beat Johnny Herbert at Mine.

A downpour half an hour before the start made conditions tricky, and a further delay because of fog hardly helped matters.

Pole winner Takeshi Tsuchiya led from Firman at the start and the pair pulled away from the rest until the safety was brought out. Yuji Tachikawa and Juichi Wakisaka had clashed at the first corner, and the safety car stayed out for eight laps.

Most took the opportunity to pit for slick tyres, something that erstwhile championship leader Satoshi Motoyama had already done. Lyons had made the same choice and both benefited, with Motoyama holding the lead from Firman just before the restart.

But just before the race was about to get under way again, Motoyama threw it away. He ran wide at the final corner, allowing Firman to pile on the pressure as the green flag flew and then spun off.

That left Firman to head Lyons all the way to the chequered flag for his third win of the season. Tsuchiya finished fourth behind Ryo Michigami.