Super Formula
Kobayashi on KCMG changes: "If this doesn't work, it's over"
Kamui Kobayashi says that his KCMG Super Formula team has been strengthened with the intention of winning this season, suggesting his time in the series could be up if the changes do not result in success.
Jamie Klein Kenichiro Ebii
Edited: Apr 26, 2023, 2:49 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Ex-Formula 1 racer Kobayashi is entering his ninth season in Super Formula and seventh as part of the KCMG outfit, which he will combine with his World Endurance Championship duties for Toyota.
He is still searching for a first win in the series, having gone 52 starts without one, while almost four years have passed since his last podium.
After two COVID-disrupted seasons, the 2022 campaign proved a particular disappointment for Kobayashi, who finished 17th in the standings, one place behind his KCMG team-mate Yuji Kunimoto.
KCMG has hired ex-Formula Nippon racer Tetsuya Tanaka to work as 'race manager' this season alongside existing team manager Tsugio Matsuda. During this week's Suzuka pre-season test, Tanaka worked with Kobayashi, while Matsuda focused his efforts on Kunimoto's car.
The changes appear to have borne fruit as Kobayashi went fastest on the second day of this week's pre-season test at Suzuka, while Kunimoto was third-fastest during the morning session on Tuesday.
Read Also:
- Kobayashi ends Super Formula testing on top, Nojiri crashes
- Red Bull’s Lawson feels “in the mix” after Super Formula testing
- Super Formula set to hold in-season test at Fuji
"This year the team structure has been strengthened," said Kobayashi. "We've built a structure with the intention of winning.
"For several years there was the pandemic, and although last year I was able to participate in the full season, we couldn't get the results we had hoped for. Together with [KCMG motorsport boss Ryuji] Doi-san we've thought about what to do, and this year we definitely want to win.
"There are many people supporting KCMG and we've not been able to get results; we want to change that. We're approaching this season with a mindset of, 'If this doesn't work, it's over.'"
As well as Tanaka, KCMG has also recruited Kazushige Igarashi from fellow Toyota team Kondo Racing to oversee the maintenance of its cars.
Doi said that KCMG's disastrous 2022 season was the impetus for the changes it has made this season.
"We've been racing in Super Formula for 13 years, and last year was our worst year in terms of results despite all our preparations," Doi told Motorsport.com's Japanese edition. "We were the lowest-ranked of the two-car teams.
"We knew that if we don't do anything differently, the results won't change. That was the starting point."
Despite topping the second day of pre-season testing, and finishing with the fourth-best time across the two days, Kobayashi is keeping his targets for the opening rounds of the season at Fuji in check.
"In testing you can do many things, but in race week you have to be spot-on with your set-up," he said. "The top teams have good experience in terms of the set-up philosophy at each track, but I think we are still lacking in this part.
"I don’t want to expect too much, because it’s always like this in Super Formula. There can always be a night-and-day difference [between testing and the opening race]; small changes can make things completely different.
"At the end of the day, we are still not a top team. We are still the challengers, we have to keep working."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Super Formula set to hold in-season test at Fuji
Next article Bolukbasi Super Formula plans complicated by Turkey earthquakes
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jamie Klein
Super Formula Fuji: Ayumu Iwasa wins as Kakunoshin Ohta misses chance to seal title
Super Formula
Super Formula
Fuji II
Super Formula Fuji: Ayumu Iwasa wins as Kakunoshin Ohta misses chance to seal title
Super Formula Fuji: Igor Fraga wins while Kakunoshin Ohta closes on title
Super Formula
Super Formula
Fuji II
Super Formula Fuji: Igor Fraga wins while Kakunoshin Ohta closes on title
More from
Kamui Kobayashi
Toyota drivers predict faster lap times and “plenty of fighting” ahead at Le Mans
WEC
WEC
24 Hours of Le Mans
Toyota drivers predict faster lap times and “plenty of fighting” ahead at Le Mans
Kobayashi to return to WTR for Daytona Cadillac attack
IMSA
IMSA
Kobayashi to return to WTR for Daytona Cadillac attack
Kobayashi takes blame for Porsche clash as Toyota exits WEC drivers' title race
WEC
WEC
Fuji
Kobayashi takes blame for Porsche clash as Toyota exits WEC drivers' title race
More from
KCMG
Giuliano Alesi to return to Super Formula in Fuji car-sharing deal
Super Formula
Super Formula
Giuliano Alesi to return to Super Formula in Fuji car-sharing deal
Toyota WEC stars conclude Super Formula season on low note
Super Formula
Super Formula
Suzuka II
Toyota WEC stars conclude Super Formula season on low note
Kobayashi suggests he's ready to give up on Super Formula
Super Formula
Super Formula
Motegi
Kobayashi suggests he's ready to give up on Super Formula
Latest news
NASCAR to allow brake rotor and pad changes after Phoenix qualifying
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Charlotte II
8 min
NASCAR to allow brake rotor and pad changes after Phoenix qualifying
Why Christian Horner banned Mercedes' name as Red Bull built its own F1 engine
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
24 min
Why Christian Horner banned Mercedes' name as Red Bull built its own F1 engine
Laurent Mekies extends contract as Red Bull's F1 team boss
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Singapore GP
1 h
Laurent Mekies extends contract as Red Bull's F1 team boss
Alex Palou to drive Indy NXT machinery in Chris Griffis Memorial Test at IMS
IndyCar
Indy IndyCar 2 h
Alex Palou to drive Indy NXT machinery in Chris Griffis Memorial Test at IMS
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe