Team KCMG is set to take part in the end-of-season rookie test at Suzuka Circuit, with 2021 Japanese Formula 4 champion Seita Nonaka joining regular drivers Yuji Kunimoto and Kamui Kobayashi for the two-day event.
2016 Super Formula champion Kunimoto will drive on both days of testing in the #18 Dallara SF19, while Nonaka, who finished fourth in Super Formula Lights this year, will take over from ex-Formula 1 racer Kobayashi on Day 2 to get his first taste of Super Formula machinery.
The rookie test gives teams and drivers a final opportunity to run the car in its current configuration, as a new aerodynamic package is set to be introduced in 2023. The updates, which include redesigned front and rear wings, a new floor and refigured sidepods, aim to encourage closer racing and reduce turbulence by 50 percent.
Testing takes place on December 7-8, with the opening two rounds of the 2023 Super Formula campaign getting underway at Fuji Speedway in a double-header weekend on April 7-9.
#18 YUJI KUNIMOTO
“I’m looking forward to getting back behind the wheel at Suzuka. There are a lot of changes coming to the aero package for 2023 so the characteristics of the car will be different to what we have at the moment, but there’s still a lot of learning we can do to help us get ready for next season. We want to ensure that we continue moving in the right direction, and to keep working on our preparation for 2023.”
#7 KAMUI KOBAYASHI
“The two days of testing at the end of the season is important to us as we want to keep improving for next year, and although I’m only taking part on Day 1, I’m looking to have a good day of testing and collect a lot of data to help the team. I’m delighted to see Seita get the opportunity to test and experience the Dallara SF19. He’s a very talented driver and I’m excited to see how he does out on track.”
#7 SEITA NONAKA
“I’m very happy to take part in the Super Formula rookie test with Team KCMG. It’ll be my first time driving the Dallara SF19, so I’m really looking forward to getting out on track and experiencing the car for the first time. My aim is to learn as much as I can with each lap and have a solid day of running, so I’m eager to get the test underway and close out the season strongly.”
RYUJI DOI KCMG HEAD OF MOTORSPORT
“We’re at the end of the year now, with only these two days of testing left to run. We’ve learned and developed a lot as a team in the past season, and we’re hoping to continue that in the rookie test. It’s unfortunate that Kamui cannot join us for Day 2, but we’re delighted to give the opportunity to Seita and we’re excited to see how he does. We’re looking to end 2022 on a high and finish testing with a lot of data, so we can focus on the upcoming season and start next year in the best shape possible.”
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.
About 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
