KCMG is poised to take on the upcoming 2022 Super Formula season, welcoming 2016 champion Yuji Kunimoto and ex-Formula 1 driver Kamui Kobayashi to the team ahead of the season opener at Fuji Speedway on April 9-10.
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 can boast a decade of Super Formula experience, having previously won titles in Formula Challenge Japan and Japan. Formula 3 Championships.
KCMG with new title sponsor to Super Formula season 2022
Kobayashi will start his sixth consecutive year with KCMG in Super Formula, after a very successful 2021. Kobayashi raced for Toyota in the World Endurance Championship (WEC), won 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 series, as well as the 10th year under the Super Formula name. The series kicks off at Fuji Speedway and travels to some of the country’s top tracks ahead of the season finale at Suzuka on October 29-30.
The coming season will be the debut of the team’s new major partnership as childcare organization Kidscom joins the roster. The deal will give KCMG’s two Dallara SF19 cars for 2022 a striking yellow and green livery.
Yuji Kunimoto: “We prepared well as a team and now we are focused on getting a strong result in the opening race at Fuji Speedway. We had a good test pace, so I think we are well prepared for the coming year. I did a lot of physical training in the off season to get ready, while also working with the crew to make sure we start strong. The atmosphere within KCMG is very positive and Fuji Speedway is a track where the team has been successful in the past, so we hope to start the year very promising.”
Kamui Kobayashi: “I’m really looking forward to returning to Super Formula this year. I plan to participate in every event, after last season’s clashes on the calendar and quarantine requirements. We did a lot of hard riding during testing and the team is excited for the new season, they pushed hard over the winter to be ready. I can’t wait to get out on track and fight at the front of the field.”
2022 KCMG Super Formula Fuji Kamui Kobayashi
Tsugio Matsuda, team manager: “It is 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 lineup with Kamui and Yuji and we are 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 up front. Thanks to our fans for their support and we hope to reward them with great results.”
Calendar 2022
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
images © KCMG Japan