Giuliano Alesi returns to Super Formula with KCMG

Giuliano Alesi will return to Super Formula for the upcoming races at Fuji in a notable car-sharing deal arranged by KCMG. The team announced on July 9, 2026, that Alesi, who is the son of former Formula 1 driver Jean Alesi, will drive the team’s #9 car during Rounds 6 and 7 of the championship. His teammate, Seita Nonaka, will race in the Sunday morning sprint, which serves as a replacement for the previously cancelled Autopolis round.

The sprint race will feature a shortened distance of 25 laps, which will be run without a mandatory pit stop, due to Nonaka qualifying the car for that event at Autopolis. However, it is anticipated that Nonaka may only have the reconnaissance laps to familiarize himself with the car before the race, as KCMG aims to maximize Alesi's track time ahead of his return.

Following the Fuji races, Alesi will take over the seat that was initially designated for Kalle Rovanpera, who withdrew from the series due to illness earlier this year.

This marks Alesi's first Super Formula participation in three years, having last competed in the series during the 2023 season with TOM’S, a team he parted ways with after midway through the season. Alesi previously gained attention in 2021 when he secured a victory at Autopolis in only his second race, but subsequent finishes saw him reach no higher than eighth place.

Since exiting TOM’S, Alesi has been largely focused on competing in the SUPER GT series, although he also participated in Rookie Racing's successful title campaign in Super Taikyu in 2024, alongside competing in prestigious endurance events such as the Le Mans 24 Hours and the Nurburgring 24 Hours. In contrast, Nonaka has struggled to make a significant impact in 2026, with his best finish being 17th, and he will start 15th in the sprint race based on qualifying results from Autopolis.

Prior to his tenure at KCMG, Nonaka had limited success in Super Formula, including an eighth-place finish as a substitute at KCMG at Motegi last season, ultimately leading to a diminished season and a return to a reserve role at KCMG. As of now, KCMG's only points finish this season was a seventh place achieved by Kenta Yamashita at the Motegi double-header in April.