Kobayashi Joins KCMG for Top-Class Nürburgring Debut

Kamui Kobayashi will make his top-class debut on the Nurburgring Nordschleife in this weekend’s NLS3 as part of the KCMG Mercedes-AMG team.

The Toyota FIA World Endurance Championship driver/team principal will share the No. 47 Mercedes-AMG GT3 Evo with team regulars David Pittard, Jesse Krohn and Edoardo Liberati for Saturday’s four-hour enduro.

Kobayashi’s first appearance at the Nordschleife came two years ago, when he drove a Toyota GR Supra GT4 Evo prepared by KCMG to obtain his Grade A license.

The 39-year-old was a long-time member of KCMG’s Super Formula program, but left the team at the end of last year in favor of a move to the KDDI TGMGP TGR-DC team.

“NLS3 will be my very first time to take on the historical Nordschleife in a GT3 car and I’m excited and looking forward to the week with KCMG,” said Kobayashi.

“There is a lot of work to do but I’ll build myself up step by step, and hopefully we learn a lot by the end of the weekend, to help us be prepared for the upcoming races!

“Huge thanks to Paul [Ip, team owner] for this opportunity to be back again with the KCMG family.”

KCMG finished 10th in last month’s NLS2, when it had Toyota SUPER GT pair Sho Tsuboi and Nirei Fukuzumi on its driving strength alongside Pittard and Krohn.

Team manager Matt Howson added: “It’s a real privilege to welcome Kamui Kobayashi for his Nürburgring GT3 debut.

“It will be a learning weekend for him, but with his speed, experience and the ability to gain knowledge from David, Jesse and Edo, we have a very strong line-up and can target a top result.

“KCMG is adapting to the Mercedes-AMG GT3 quickly, NLS3 is another important step in this process and our objective is to gather more data, improve on NLS2 in all areas and continue to refine the overall package as we head towards the Nürburgring 24 next month.”