Toyota Elevates Rikuto Kobayashi in Lone GT500 Change for 2026

The move underscores Toyota's emphasis on continuity through its TGR-DC pipeline.

Overview

Kobayashi steps up to the No. 38 KeePer Cerumo GR Supra alongside Toshiki Oyu, replacing Hiroaki Ishiura.
Toyota keeps its other GT500 pairings intact: Sho Tsuboi/Kenta Yamashita, Ukyo Sasahara/Giuliano Alesi, Kazuya Oshima/Nirei Fukuzumi, Yuhi Sekiguchi/Sacha Fenestraz, and Sena Sakaguchi/Yuji Kunimoto.
Tyre alignments stay the same for the final year of open competition, with five Supras on Bridgestone and WedsSport Bandoh’s No. 19 on Yokohama.
Kobayashi, 20, arrives after the 2023 FIA F4 title, two GT300 poles, a Suzuka win in 2025, and third in this year’s GT300 standings.
GT300 moves include Kiyoshi Umegaki to CarGuy MKS, Kazuhisa Urabe promoted at INGING with Yuui Tsutsumi, and Charlie Wurz joining apr’s No. 31 Lexus LC500h as a newly named TGR-DC driver, while Ishiura’s Rookie Racing GT300 program is expected but pending confirmation next month.