KCMG’s Toyota‑powered lineup will swap drivers at Fuji: Giuliano Alesi takes the #9 seat for Rounds 6 and 7, while reserve defender Seita Nonaka handles the short sprint on Sunday.
KCMG’s Car‑Sharing Plan
The team announced the arrangement after the Autopolis event was cancelled. Nonaka qualifies the room‑share vehicle over 25 laps with no pit stop, a requirement that ties back to his original Autopolis grid position.
Alesi’s Return Targeted for Rounds 6‑7
Alesi, the son of Formula 1 legend Jean Alesi, will enter Super Formula for the first time in three years. He re‑famously won his debut at Autopolis in 2021 and last appeared after being released by T OM’S mid‑season 2023. KCMG’s race plan prioritises giving him maximum track time before the points‑bearing rounds.
Nonaka’s Sprint Duty
Nonaka, who had a best finish of 17th after four starts in 2026, will begin the replaced race from 15th place, the grid order inherited from Autopolis qualifying. His points record doubles as a wild card: a single eighth‑place finish last year at Motegi when he substituted for Kamui Kobayashi.
Driver Backgrounds
Alesi’s recent focus has been on SUPER GT with KCMG, including a 2024 Super Taikyu title with Rookie Racing and a run in both the Le Mans 24 Hours and the Nürburgring 24 Hours. Nonaka, once a champion in Japanese F4, lost his seat after not scoring in seven starts for TGM Grand Prix and returns now as KCMG’s reserve driver for the rest of the year.
The Bigger Picture
With Kalle Rovanpera out sick, Alesi’s entry fills a gap that was originally earmarked for the Finnish driver. The move places him in a seat that could influence the championship’s mid‑season momentum had he remained healthy. The team’s current points tally stands at a single seventh for Kenta Yamashita in April’s Motegi double‑header, underscoring the high stakes of each race at Fuji.
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