Ex-F1 driver and current Toyota WEC driver Kamui Kobayashi has been confirmed as the second of three BMW drivers that will compete in the ‘Dream Race’ at Fuji where the DTM and SuperGT series meet between 22nd and 24th October.
The Japanese driver is the second of three drivers announced to drive for the German brand at Fuji, with the legendary Alex Zanardi revealed he would get back behind the wheel of a DTM car for the first time since his guest entry at Misano in 2018.
Kobayashi competed in the SuperGT series in 2018 with the Lexus Team SARD, and so has experience of Class One specification machinery. The stint with the team wielded one major success, winning at Buriram, Thailand.
The 33-year-old is most well known for his results with the Toyota LMP1 squad in the WEC, winning four races and scoring three second placed finishes at Le Mans between 2016 and 2019.
Despite never having driven for BMW, let alone a DTM car, the Japanese driver is excited for the race.
“Fuji will be my first time driving the BMW M4 DTM,” explained Kobayashi, “But BMW Motorsport gave me the opportunity to prepare a little bit and get an idea of the car.
“I will do my best to give the fans a good show with the BMW M4 DTM.”
BMW Group Motorsport Director Jens Marquardt described Kobayashi as a “real gem” and disclosed the third BMW driver will be announced soon.
“Like Alessandro Zanardi, our second driver for the Dream Race is another real gem,” described Marquardt, “Kamui Kobayashi will make his race debut for BMW Motorsport and is sure to attract plenty of interest in the ‘Dream Race’ from many of his Japanese compatriots and fans.
“Kamui has shown his class and versatility in Formula 1, Le Mans, and the ABB FIA Formula E Championship.
“He is sure to be fast in the BMW M4 DTM too. We will reveal the third driver in our ‘Dream Team’ for Fuji shortly.”