{"id":13640,"date":"2026-02-24T17:30:42","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T09:30:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kcmg.com.hk\/?p=13640"},"modified":"2026-02-24T19:14:34","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T11:14:34","slug":"kcmg-confirms-2026-super-formula-team-line-up-ahead-of-pre-season-testing-in-suzuka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kcmg.com.hk\/?p=13640","title":{"rendered":"KCMG CONFIRMS 2026 SUPER FORMULA TEAM LINE-UP AHEAD OF PRE-SEASON TESTING IN SUZUKA"},"content":{"rendered":"

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KC Motorgroup (KCMG) is pleased to confirm its line-up and team structure for the 2026 Super Formula campaign, which will mark its 17th year competing in the Japanese championship, ahead of Pre-Season Testing at Suzuka International Racing Course on 25-26 February.<\/strong><\/p>\n

As announced in December, the outfit will have an all-new driver line-up for this year. Kenta Yamashita brings plenty of experience as a Super Formula race-winner alongside clinching three Super GT500 titles, stepping into the #8 car. Joining him will be Kalle Rovanper\u00e4, who won the World Rally Championship in both 2022 and 2023 with TOYOTA GAZOO Racing World Rally Team, as he moves into single-seater racing in the #69 machine.<\/p>\n

Additionally, KCMG welcomes Seita Nonaka as reserve driver following a success outing for the squad last year, where he stood in as a replacement in Mobility Resort Motegi, collecting valuable points.<\/p>\n

The team would again like to express its heartfelt thanks to drivers Kamui Kobayashi and Nirei Fukuzumi, who drove for the team until last season, and to Yuhi Sekiguchi, who contributed as Team Coordinator. KCMG wishes them all the best for the future. Additionally, the outfit extends its gratitude to Kids com who have provided strong support over the last four years, learning a lot from Mr Nishiyama, the President of Kids com.<\/p>\n

For the 2026 campaign, KCMG continues its partnership with Achievement Co Ltd, who have supported the squad since 2009, and Pioneer Sales Co Ltd, for its ninth consecutive season. Additionally welcoming Hirano Tyre Shokai Ltd, who handles nationwide mail-order sales of tyres and parts and operates a workshop for vehicle inspections. Sakashita-gumi Ltd, a construction company supporting the local community through civil engineering and plant installation works, also joins as a partner celebrating its 66th anniversary.<\/p>\n

The livery for the new year returns to a design based on KCMG blue, departing from last season\u2019s cobalt blue colour, as the team aims to achieve its long-cherished goal of a Super Formula victory.<\/p>\n

The 2026 campaign kicks off this week at Suzuka International Racing Course, with four two-hour testing sessions across Wednesday and Thursday. Both days get underway at 10:00 local time (UTC+9) with the afternoon running taking place at 14:00.<\/p>\n

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#8\u00a0KENTA\u00a0YAMASHITA<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\u201cThis season marks my 10th year competing in Super Formula, and for the first time I’ve switched teams to race with KCMG. I felt positive during December’s test, and the squad has a family-like atmosphere, so I’m really looking forward to this campaign. My immediate goal is to win races, and ultimately, I’ll be driving all season aiming to be in contention for the title.\u201d<\/p>\n

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#69\u00a0KALLE ROVANPER\u00c4<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\u201cI hope to have a good first season racing formula cars and I\u2019m looking forward to working with my new team also! It\u2019ll be nice to see a lot of Japanese fans during the year, so I\u2019m excited!\u201d<\/p>\n

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SEITA NONAKA<\/strong><\/h4>\n

\u201cI\u2019m honoured to be KCMG’s reserve driver for 2026 and very grateful to everyone who made this possible. I enjoyed working with KCMG last year during the round at Motegi and will now do my best to contribute throughout the season to help the team improve.\u201d<\/p>\n

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RYUJI DOI\u00a0<\/strong>KCMG HEAD OF MOTORSPORT<\/h4>\n

\u201cThis season, with the new pairing of Kenta Yamashita and Kalle Rovanper\u00e4, we\u2019ll be aiming to score our first victory. We\u2019re also delighted to welcome Seita Nonaka as the team’s reserve driver, following his great performance at Mobility Resort Motegi last year. Furthermore, we\u2019re immensely proud to have worked alongside two top drivers in Kamui Kobayashi, who battled with us through thick and thin for nine seasons since 2017, securing five podium finishes for the team, and Nirei Fukuzumi, who, as part of the KCMG family for two years, achieved three podiums and two pole positions. On behalf of the team, we\u2019re wishing them all the best for the future.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the addition of the experienced Yamashita, rookie driver Rovanper\u00e4, making the transition from rallying, and the technical team from Hitech joining us for our first collaboration, I can\u2019t wait to get the season underway. This year marks many firsts for KCMG, but the entire team is united and will fight for the championship.<\/p>\n

\u201cAdditionally, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to Mr Nishiyama, President of Kids com, who has provided the team with tremendous support as our main partner over the past four seasons. As Kids com Team KCMG, we secured the team’s first-ever pole position together and improved our place in the teams\u2019 standings. While we will no longer race with the Kids com logo, we will never forget the wealth of advice President Nishiyama has given to the team over these four years.\u201d<\/p>\n

Team Structure:<\/h4>\n