Lexus Gains a New Driver For Its IMSA Efforts

New Addition

Lexus has been involved in IMSA racing in partnership with Vasser Sullivan for several years now, enjoying some success in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship over that period. Now, the team has added a new driver to its stable in pursuit of trophies (and preferably, a championship) - Kamui Kobayashi.

Photos: Lexus

Fill-In

Kobayashi made his debut at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP) recently while filling in for Jack Hawksworth as he recovered from injury. Kobayashi partnered with Ben Barnicoat in the GTD PRO Vasser Sullivan No. 14 Lexus RC F GT3 entry for the two-hour and 40-minute race. 

Photos: Lexus

Checkered Career

Kobayashi is a two-time World Endurance champion and has been driving in WEC for Toyota Gazoo Racing since 2016. The Hyogo, Japan native has an impressive resume having raced globally in Formula 1, WEC, Super Formula, and IMSA among other series. He was victorious in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2021 and is the course record holder at the famed circuit. Kobayashi has also scored overall wins in the Rolex 24 at Daytona in 2019 and 2020.

Photos: Lexus

Solid Spot

This also marked the first time since 2019 that the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship returned to the 10-turn, 2.459-mile road course. CTMP was the site of the first pole for the Lexus RC F GT3 in North America in 2017. Lexus has also earned two podium finishes at the Canadian road course. In 2018, Dominik Baumann and Kyle Marcelli finished second in the GTD class in 2018, while Montecalvo and Townsend Bell scored a third-place result there in 2019 for Vasser Sullivan.

Photos: Lexus

Full Support

"I'm thankful for the opportunity to drive the Lexus RC F GT3 with Vasser Sullivan this weekend in Canada," Kobayashi said. "I wish Jack (Hawksworth) a good recovery from his injury and hope he is back in the car soon. Obviously, my experience is quite low in a GT car. It’s going to be quite different than what I’m used to driving and it’s going to be challenging, but I’m excited to see how well the RC F handles. I have a lot of support from the Vasser Sullivan team, Lexus, and TRD, USA to help make me comfortable going to Canada. It will be a challenge, but I’m looking forward to it."

Photos: Lexus

>>Join the conversation about Lexus's new driver right here at ClubLexus.com.

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