Kobayashi to make race debut in season opener

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Kamui Kobayashi will make his all-electric debut at the Hong Kong E-Prix, racing alongside Antonio Felix da Costa at MS&AD Andretti, instead of the previously-announced Tom Blomqvist.

The Japanese driver, who currently competes for Toyota Gazoo Racing in the World Endurance Championship, is the final driver to be officially confirmed after Blomqvist, who was in action for the team in testing, was named on the FIA’s entry list but not by the team itself.

However, Kobayashi was brought in to please the team’s title sponsor MS&AD, who are based in Japan. It is understood that Blomqvist will return for most of the season four campaign.

Andretti Team Owner and namesake Michael Andretti welcomed his latest signing to the team and believes that Kobayashi will be an “exciting” addition to Formula E.

“We are very fortunate to have a driver of Kobayashi’s caliber in the #27 MS&AD Andretti car to start the season in Hong Kong,” said Andretti.

“He has shown what he can do in both Formula One and WEC, making Formula E a perfect next step. To partner one of the largest companies in Japan, MS&AD Insurance, with one of the most popular Japanese racing drivers, will be exciting to see.

“The passion that Japanese fans have is incredible and we expect to see that when he makes his debut in Hong Kong.”

Kobayashi, who competed in 76 Formula One Grands Prix before joining WEC, is excited to be making his Formula E debut and thanked the Andretti team for the opportunity.

“First of all, I would like to thank to Michael, the whole Andretti Formula E team and MS&AD insurance for giving me this wonderful opportunity to race at the Hong Kong E-Prix,” said the 31-year-old.

“Andretti is one of the world most popular racing families and I am so excited to have my Formula E debut race under his name.

“I will be going to the race weekend without testing which is not an easy thing to be honest, but the team has been giving me all the support so no worrying at all and I am really looking forward to having good races there.”

The Hong Kong E-Prix will kick off season four of the FIA Formula E Championship on 2-3 December, with the full entry list found here.

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Images courtesy of MS&AD Andretti

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