KCMG is ready to take on the upcoming 2022 Super Formula season, welcoming back 2016 champion Yuji Kunimoto and ex-Formula 1 driver Kamui Kobayashi to the team ahead of the season opener at Fuji Speedway on 9-10 April.
KCMG has competed in Japan’s premier single-seater championship since 2010, with Kunimoto joining the team in 2020. Heading into his third season with the squad, Kunimoto boasts a decade of Super Formula experience, having previously taken titles in the Formula Challenge Japan and Japanese Formula 3 championships.
Kobayashi starts his sixth consecutive year with KCMG in Super Formula, following a highly successful 2021. Racing for Toyota in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), Kobayashi took victory in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and claimed a second WEC title.
The 2022 campaign will be the 50th year of Japan’s top open-wheel racing class, as well as the 10th under the Super Formula name. Beginning at Fuji Speedway, the series will travel to some of the best circuits in the country, prior to the season finale at Suzuka on 29-30 October.
The upcoming season will see the debut of the team’s new major partnership, as childcare organisation Kids com joins the squad. The deal sees KCMG’s two Dallara SF19 cars take on a striking yellow and green livery for 2022.
#18 YUJI KUNIMOTO
“We’ve been preparing well as a team and now we’re focused on getting a strong result in the opening race at Fuji Speedway. We had good pace in testing, so I think we are well prepared for the year ahead. I’ve done a lot of physical training in the off-season to be ready, while also working with the crew to make sure we start strongly. The atmosphere within KCMG is very positive and Fuji Speedway is a circuit where the team has been successful in the past, so we’re hoping to kick off the year on a promising note.”
#7 KAMUI KOBAYASHI
“I’m really looking forward to returning to Super Formula this year. I’m planning to compete in every event, following last season’s calendar clashes and quarantine requirements. We had plenty of strong running during testing and the team is excited ahead of the new season, they’ve been pushing hard over the winter to be ready. I can’t wait to get out on track and fight at the front of the field.”
TSUGIO MATSUDA TEAM MANAGER
“It’s finally time to start the new Super Formula season, and the team is looking forward to returning to one of the most competitive series in the world. We have a very strong line-up with Kamui and Yuji and we’re in a great position to be competitive. Our goal is to win the Teams’ championship for the first time, and with the addition of Kids com as our title sponsor for this year, we are working hard to fight at the front. Thanks to our fans for their support and we hope to reward them with some great results.”
Calendar
Fuji Speedway – 9-10 April
Suzuka Circuit – 23-24 April
Autopolis – 21-22 May
Sportsland Sugo – 18-19 June
Fuji Speedway – 16-17 July
Mobility Resort Motegi – 20-21 August
Suzuka Circuit – 29-30 October
For more information about KCMG please visit www.kcmg.com.hk. To keep track of all the latest updates, please like KCMG’s Facebook page or follow on Twitter and Instagram.
Who is KCMG?
KC Motorgroup Ltd (KCMG) is an international motorsport services group established in 2007 by Paul Ip. The group, with its headquarters located in Hong Kong, has operations reaching across the Asia Pacific region. KCMG operates closely with many partner companies and racing organisations around the world to provide unrivalled motorsport services, equipment, team management and quality distribution in the automotive industry. This includes the FIA Motorsport Games, where KCMG is the official supplier of hybrid F4 cars, and the KCMG Driver Development Project. For more information on all of the team’s activities please visit www.kcmg.com.hk or email info@kcmg.com.hk
