The 2015 season will provide another stage for A. Caldarelli to aim at winning the championships in both SUPER GT and SUPER FORMULA, A. Couto will also be targeting the same in the SUPER GT!
GRM driver, Andrea Caldarelli (Italy) who finished the past season of 2014 SUPER GT Series (the GT500 class) placing 2nd in the Series Ranking will continue to work with the famous LEXUS TEAM KeePer TOM’S (No. 37, Bridgestone tyres) in the coming season. Together with the new teammate Ryo Hirakawa (Hiroshima), these two young drivers are sure to draw great attention as well as very high expectations from everyone.
Apart from his continued SUPER GT challenges, this talented Italian driver will also compete in the SUPER FORMULA championship on a full-season basis this year, with one of the top teams, Lenovo TEAM IMPUL. As everyone may recall, last year Andrea amazed everybody by winning a pole position or podium finishes even on spot-entries in this series. Based on such brilliant performances, this talented Italian behind the wheels of LENOVO TEAM IMPUL SF14 (No. 20) will be joined by an expert Brazilian driver Joao Paolo Oliveira (No. 19). The highly aspired duo now revs up ready to fight through all 7 rounds of the SUPER FORMULA series with the strongest package.
In the fourth year of his career in the Japanese series, Andrea Caldarelli will focus on winning the champion’s title in these series, backed up by some of the best auspices, while the rest of us cannot wait to see Andrea make a further leap and progress in both of these categories.
Andrea CALDARELLI
“I am honored to join the Japanese race-fields again this year.
Last year, I had to miss the SUPER GT drivers champion title by just two points. Nevertheless, I will push hard with my new teammate Ryo (Ryo Hirakawa) and bring LEXUS TEAM KEEPER TOM’S to finally winning the title. Meanwhile, I will continue to thank LEXUS and TOM’S Chairman Mr. Tachi as always for allowing me with this stage, and promise that I will give my best to live up to any expectations.
Also in the new season, my other dream has come true, which is taking part in the SUPER FORMULA, fulltime. Joining this top formula racing with a permanent status the season through has been my one target so I am truly glad to have been chosen to work as an IMPUL driver. I am sincerely grateful to IMPUL and TOYOTA for this great opportunity.
Furthermore, to be given the chance to join Mr. Hoshino and his prestigious team IMPUL is a true honor. I now look forward to testing as soon as we can, and fight through the rounds as giving 120 percent of my power to have another strong season, and hopefully win the champion’s title!”
Now, Andre Couto (Portugal) will charge on forward again this year with the SUPER GT 300 class champion team of last season, GAINER. In this unquestionably strong team GAINER, the veteran Portuguese driver who has fought in the Japanese categories for a good stretch of time already will empower Nissan GT-R Nismo GT3 (No. 10, Dunlop tyres), fight through the 2015 season.
On a new machine in the GT3 category, which has been drawing much attention from all around the world, how would our trusted driver Andre Couto manage and go for winning the title? Everyone is excited to see the many spectacles Andre is sure to bring on!
Andre COUTO
“As one member in this very professional team, also driving this very competitive GT 3 through the 8 rounds of the series will definitely be a big challenge and an excitement for me. I would like to show the Japanese supporters, – the world’s hottest race fans, – the best actions I could ever deliver, so please continue to support me and my team!”
Now, Oliver Jarvis (United Kingdom) who took part in the SUPER GT last year with LEXUS TEAM SARD (No. 39) has been chosen to drive as the regular driver for Audi Sports Team Joest in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) of 2015, driving R18 e-tron quattro on a full entry basis. As Jarvis will replace Tom Kristensen who retired from the actions, he is entrusted with these important task and responsibilities but in exchange for that, he must be away from the Japanese races this year. But let us continue to cheer and extend our warm support to the GRM driver aiming for the world champion title.
Oliver Jarvis
“At the point of last November when finishing off the last round of the SUPER GT, my mind was already set on competing in the SUPER GT races also for 2015. However, suddenly Audi offered me the chance to compete in WEC races full-season, and due to butting of race schedules of the two categories, I could not stay with the SUPER GTseries this year. While I am happy to be given this huge chance to challenge the world championship, to part from Japan even for a while has been a difficult choice to make, of course. I will continue to support and watch SUPER GT closely, as it is truly a tough and exciting category representing this country!”
Photos by M. Hirata, T. Moriyama, Audi
