Kalle Rovanperä and Kenta Yamashita at KCMG in Super Formula for 2026

Crowned World Rally Champion in 2022 and 2023 with Toyota Gazoo Racing, Kalle Rovanperä is preparing to experience a major first in carAt 25, the Finn will contest his first full season in single-seaters with KCMG. To best prepare for his debut in the discipline, Rovanperä will also participate in the Formula Regional Oceania Trophy, a program designed to enhance his experience before the first rounds of the Japanese championship.

Alongside him, Kenta Yamashita will bring a strong paddock presence. A three-time Super GT500 champion, having won the title in 2019 and for the last two consecutive seasons, the Japanese driver will begin his tenth year in Super Formula. Since his debut in the series, Yamashita has secured a victory at Okayama as well as seven other podium finishes.

This duo should allow KCMG to capitalize on an encouraging 2025 season, which ended with a fifth-place finish in the team standings, the second-best result for the structure since its arrival in Super Formula in 2010.

The Hong Kong-based team also announced several departures. Kamui Kobayashi Nirei Fukuzumi, who secured KCMG's first Super Formula pole position and three podium finishes, will not be retained by the team after nine seasons, having achieved five top-three results. Yuhi Sekiguchi is also leaving his role as team coordinator for the No. 7 car.

The 2026 Super Formula season will begin with a double event at Motegi on April 4 and 5, before visits to the iconic circuits of Suzuka, Fuji Speedway, Autopolis and Sportsland SUGO.

Meanwhile, KCMG confirmed the continuation of its Kyojo Cup program. Miki Onaga and Rami Sasaki will be back behind the wheel in 2026, after finishing second and fifth respectively in the 2025 drivers' championship.

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