Giuliano Alesi returns to the TOM'S stable

Toyota confirms the names of its drivers present on the Super Formula grid in 2023... and it's the end of uncertainty for Giuliano Alesi. The Frenchman number 36 returns with the TOM'S team for a third consecutive year in the prestigious Japanese category. The team's duo for 2023 remains unchanged. The 5th in the Drivers' standings last season, Ritomo Miyata, takes his place in the second seat of the team.

https://twitter.com/SUPERFORMULA_En/status/1613398038424489991

Another interesting confirmation: Kazuto Kotaka, 2022 champion of Super Formula Lights, antechamber of Super Formula, will make his debut within the Kondo Racing team. The 3rd and 7th of the main championship of car Japanese, Ryo Hirakawa and Yuhi Sekiguchi, are also part of the Impul team. 

Alesi in Super Formula, Sasahara in GT500

If the entire Super Formula grid had already been made official, Alesi was the last unknown. Competing with Ukyo Sasahara, 6th in the championship, the Japanese will finally take part in the Super GT500 with TOM'S in 2023. While it is relatively common for drivers to combine these two categories, Toyota preferred to keep its two pilots. Note that Giuliano Alesi is also signed in Super GT in car number 37, alongside his competitor.

The son of the former pilot of Formula 1 Jean Alesi in Super Formula was in the hot seat: a disappointing 2022 edition, only one race in the points at Fuji Speedway (Oyama, Japan)… and a 20th and last place in the standings. A real downfall for this first full season, when he finished 11th in 2021, and a vice-championship title in Super Formula Lights the previous year.

Alesi will be the only Frenchman on the grid. Sacha Fenestraz, the Franco-Argentinian vice-champion of Super Formula during the last edition of the category, was recruited by Nissan Formula E Team to form a 100% French duo alongside Norman Nato from Cannes.

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