Team KCMG scored a double points finish thanks to strong drives from Kamui Kobayashi and Yuji Kunimoto at the Suzuka Circuit in a rain-affected Round 3 of the 2022 Super Formula season.
Showing improved form from the previous round at Fuji Speedway, Kobayashi and Kunimoto both progressed to Q2 during Saturday’s qualifying session. Ex-Formula 1 driver Kobayashi secured 11th on the grid for Sunday’s event, while 2016 Super Formula champion Kunimoto took fifth, which would later become eighth following a post-session penalty.
Both drivers had great starts in tricky wet conditions during Sunday’s race, each gaining two positions on the opening lap. Kobayashi showed excellent pace at the track where he stood on the F1 podium in 2012, making up six places to finish fifth, with Kunimoto taking the chequered flag in sixth.
Round 4 of the 2022 Super Formula season is set to take place at Autopolis on 21-22 May.
#7 KAMUI KOBAYASHI
“I had good pace with the wet and dry tyres, and we’ve improved since the opening weekend at Fuji thanks to the team’s hard work. I was happy get a top-five finish on my return to Suzuka, which was tough in the conditions. Looking ahead to Autopolis, we’ll keep pushing and look to challenge for some silverware.”
#18 YUJI KUNIMOTO
“It was very tricky during the race with the rain, but I got a good start and gained two positions on the opening lap. As the race continued, I began to struggle slightly with the tyres, so I had to be careful given the difficult conditions. I was able to hold onto my position despite the weather and I was delighted to score my first points of the season.”
TSUGIO MATSUDA TEAM MANAGER
“It was great to see both cars perform strongly in qualifying, and to have such good speed during the race. Until now, we’ve struggled with wet conditions, but even in the rain on Sunday, both drivers made up positions at the start, and the pace was very good. The team is getting better with each round, and we’ll be aiming to continue this progress at Autopolis.”
RYUJI DOI KCMG HEAD OF MOTORSPORT
“The team showed improved pace this weekend, especially in qualifying, with both cars making it into Q2. Not many teams managed to get two cars into the second part of qualifying, so it definitely shows our development since Fuji. Both drivers made up positions at the start despite the wet conditions, so we managed to finish with a good haul of points. Fuji and Suzuka have traditionally been difficult for the team so we’re eager to move onto circuits where we should be more competitive. I’m delighted with what we achieved at Suzuka, and we’re looking forward to the next round at Autopolis, where we’ll be aiming to get on the podium.”
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
