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Yamamoto ‘never imagined’ scoring podium on injury comeback in Super Formula
The three-time champion finished third in Sunday’s opener at Suzuka, marking his first appearance since last August’s Motegi round, as he was ruled out of the final races of 2023 due to neck and spine injuries in a SUPER GT crash at Sugo. Yamamoto opted for surgery to regain neck mobility and spent two months in the hospital. Despite doubts about his physical condition, he managed to finish on the podium in the first race of the season. In a post-race interview, Yamamoto expressed gratitude for his recovery and the support he received. Looking ahead to the next race at Autopolis in late May, he acknowledged the challenges of maintaining performance in different weather conditions and emphasized the importance of thorough preparation.
