Satoshi Motoyama, regarded as one of the greatest drivers in SUPER GT Series history, confirmed today that his driving contract with Team LeMans has been terminated.
The three-time GT500 Drivers’ Champion and four-time Japanese Top Formula Champion made his comeback to SUPER GT’s GT300 class in 2021, partnering with Team LeMans and Audi Sport. This past weekend at Okayama, he and co-driver Yoshiaki Katayama finished fifth in class, giving them their best result since the project began.
But just days later, it was announced that Motoyama would not be taking part in the upcoming Fuji GT 450km Race on 3-4 May, and that the “Motoyama Racing” name had been dropped from the entrant name of Team LeMans.
In a press release, Motoyama discussed his weekend’s results and addressed his fans and supporters who were surprised by this week’s announcement.
“Last year, we set up a new team in the GT300 class, and together with young driver Yoshiaki Katayama, we competed as “Team LeMans with Motoyama Racing” in our first season, which was a year of steady growth despite various recurring trials and errors. It is true that we had a difficult time achieving the results we had hoped for, due to the unique difficulties of the GT300 class – differences in machines, BoP, tyres, and many other factors that are intricately intertwined in this category.”
“For the 2022 season, we changed the name of the team to “Motoyama Racing with Team LeMans” and changed our organisational structure. We updated the car, tried various set-ups in private tests as much as possible in order to get the best possible setup for the upcoming season. And with the goals I set for myself, I went into the opening round of the season determined to get through Q1 qualifying and surpass last year’s best result, and the team worked together to achieve it. It was the best race of the year, finishing fifth and scoring our first points.”
“It took one season and one race, but I think we achieved our initial goal by getting our first points. Our young driver, Katayama, drove an attacking, professional, and confident race. I would like to thank the many fans and sponsors who supported us, and all the team staff who kept fighting with us.”
“I am sorry that I am unable to participate in the second race. And as a result, I may not be able to meet the expectations of my fans and sponsors. But as a professional driver, I will accept the current situation and look for a new way forward.”
“I apologize for any concern this incident may have caused to all concerned, and promise to report back to you as soon as a new plan is determined.”
Logos of Goldex Co. and their affiliated businesses were removed from the #6 Team LeMans Audi R8 LMS GT3 EVO II prior to the Okayama round, including those of Goldex Mobile (parent company Golmoba Co. Ltd.), of which Motoyama is the representative director since 2021.
Last week, Golmoba addressed a large-scale payment system failure which has impacted their customers, leading some to speculate if the reason for Motoyama’s dismissal was due to financial reasons.
Katayama, the son of de facto Team LeMans owner Yoshinori Katayama (the president of parent company Aska Corporation), will continue as one of the team’s full-season drivers. He will be joined for the Fuji GT 450km race by Formula 1 and WEC alumnus Roberto Merhi and GT300 race winner Shintaro Kawabata.
UPDATE – On 21 April, Team LeMans released an official statement concerning the termination of Motoyama’s contract with the team.
“As ‘Motoyama Racing with Team LeMans’, we entered an Audi R8 LMS in the SUPER GT GT300 class in 2022 and competed in the Okayama round. We have decided that a major budget review and structural changes are necessary to ensure our continued participation in Round 2 and beyond. As a result, we regret to say that we have come to the conclusion to terminate the contract with Satoshi Motoyama, the team’s number one driver. We sincerely apologise to our fans, sponsors and race officials for any inconvenience caused by this incident.”
Team LeMans representative director Masafumi Ota commented: “Last year, we launched the team as ‘Team LeMans with Motoyama Racing’, and we would like to thank Satoshi Motoyama for his great achievements and experience as a racing driver, and for his efforts to increase the team’s competitiveness as a driver. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Motoyama, and as allies in the racing industry, we will continue to work together for the development of the industry as a whole.”
“We will return to our roots and compete in the SUPER GT GT300 class as ‘Team LeMans’ so that we can demonstrate the team strength that we have cultivated with Motoyama. We look forward to your continued support.”
Feature image © Audi Sport Japan
