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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Kei Francesco Cozzolino
| name = Kei Francesco Cozzolino
| image = Kei_Cozzolino_Super_GT_2020.jpg
| image = Cozzolino_supergt2024.jpg
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1987|11|9}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1987|11|9}}
| nationality = {{flagicon|Japan}} Japan
| nationality = {{flagicon|Japan}} Japan
| occupation = Racing driver
| occupation = Racing driver
| module =
| module = {{Infobox racing driver | child = yes
{{Infobox racing driver | child = yes
| last series = [[FIA World Endurance Championship]]
| last series = [[FIA World Endurance Championship]]
| years active = 2019 – 2020
| years active = 2019 – 2023
| racing licence = [[File:FIA Gold Driver.png|12px]] [[FIA Gold Categorisation|FIA Gold]]
| racing licence = [[File:FIA Gold Driver.png|12px]] [[FIA Gold Categorisation|FIA Gold]]
| teams = [https://www.redriversport.com Red River Sport]
| teams = [https://afcorse.it/ AF Corse]
| titles = [[Asian Le Mans Series]]<br/>[[Lamborghini Super Trofeo]]<br/>[[フォーミュラ・トヨタ|Esso Formula Toyota]]
| titles = [[GT World Challenge Asia]]<br/>[[Asian Le Mans Series]]<br/>[[Lamborghini Super Trofeo]]<br/>[[フォーミュラ・トヨタ|Esso Formula Toyota]]
| awards = 2018 [[Asian Le Mans]] GT Champion<br/>2017 [[Lamborghini Super Trofeo]] Asia Champion<br/>2007 [[フォーミュラ・トヨタ|Esso Formula Toyota]] Champion
| awards = 2022[[GT World Challenge Asia]] Overall Champion<br/>2018 [[Asian Le Mans]] GT Champion<br/>2017 [[Lamborghini Super Trofeo]] Asia Champion<br/>2007 [[フォーミュラ・トヨタ|Esso Formula Toyota]] Champion
}}
}}
}}
}}
'''Kei Francesco Cozzolino''' (born in [[Shinjuku]], [[Tokyo]], November 9, 1987) is a Japanese racing driver who currently competes in the [[Super GT]] series with [https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=pacific+racing+team&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8 PACIFIC NAC CARGUY Racing Team] with the [https://www.ferrari.com/en-EN/competizioni-gt/488-gt3-evo-2020 Ferrari 488 GT3 EVO.]
'''Kei Francesco Cozzolino''' (born in [[Shinjuku]], [[Tokyo]], November 9, 1987) is a Japanese-Italian professional racing driver from Shinjuku, Tokyo. He competes in motorsport championships including the [[FIA World Endurance Championship|FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC)]], [[24 Hours of Le Mans]], [[24 Hours of Daytona|Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona]], and the [[Asian Le Mans Series]] with [[AF Corse]]. Cozzolino joined the 2024 [[Super GT]] series, driving a Ferrari 296 GT3 for [[PONOS|PONOS RACING]].

==Early life==
Cozzolino was born in Ichigaya, Shinjuku by Japanese mother and Italian father. He grew up in Japan and had his first experience with racing at 8 years old, thanks to his dad's passion for cars. When Cozzolino turned 14, they moved to Florence, Italy, where he will study at an international school.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Intervista a Kei Cozzolino - S.FORMULA LIGHTS |url=https://www.italiaracing.net/newsint.aspx?id=24371&cat=26 |access-date=2024-07-05 |website=www.italiaracing.net |language=it-IT}}</ref>


==Racing career==
==Racing career==
Line 22: Line 24:
Cozzolino started karting at the age of 9. He competed and won in various competitions in classes in Japan and around the world. His karting career ended in 2005 when he switched to racing cars.
Cozzolino started karting at the age of 9. He competed and won in various competitions in classes in Japan and around the world. His karting career ended in 2005 when he switched to racing cars.


===Junior formulae===
===Junior Formula===
In 2006, Cozzolino made his debut in auto racing, in the [[Formula Toyota]] series, during the second round of the championship at [[Sendai Hi-Land Raceway]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Formula Toyota Round 2|url=http://www.toyota.co.jp/ms/ft/racereport/20060422r.html|work=Toyota Motorsports|accessdate=31 December 2013}}</ref> Cozzolino finished tenth out of eleven finishers. In 2007, he competed in the [[Formula Challenge Japan]] and the [[Formula Toyota]] classes. In the Formula Challenge Japan, supported by [[Nissan]], [[Toyota]] and [[Honda]], Cozzolino won one race. All the drivers who entered both the Formula Toyota and Formula Challenge Japan series were supported by Toyota. This was to promote the Formula Challenge Japan as a replacement of the Formula Toyota after the series disbandment.<ref>{{cite web|title=2007 Round 1|url=http://f-challenge.jp/fcj/race/archive/2007/index07r01.shtml|work=Formula Challenge Japan|accessdate=31 December 2013|archive-date=1 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101152747/http://f-challenge.jp/fcj/race/archive/2007/index07r01.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the final season of the Formula Toyota, Cozzolino won the title. Cozzolino was strong all season long, but [[Keisuke Kunimoto]] had the lead before the final round of the season. At the final round of the season at [[Fuji International Speedway]] Cozzolino qualified second and Kunimoto sixth. After a strong race Cozzolino won the race, KyoYu did not finish the race, thus the championship was decided in Cozzolino's favour.
In 2006, Cozzolino made his debut in auto racing, in the [[Formula Toyota]] series, during the second round of the championship at [[Sendai Hi-Land Raceway]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Formula Toyota Round 2|url=http://www.toyota.co.jp/ms/ft/racereport/20060422r.html|work=Toyota Motorsports|accessdate=31 December 2013}}</ref> Cozzolino finished tenth out of eleven finishers. In 2007, he competed in the [[Formula Challenge Japan]] and the [[Formula Toyota]] classes. In the Formula Challenge Japan, supported by [[Nissan]], [[Toyota]] and [[Honda]], Cozzolino won one race. All the drivers who entered both the Formula Toyota and Formula Challenge Japan series were supported by Toyota. This was to promote the Formula Challenge Japan as a replacement of the Formula Toyota after the series disbandment.<ref>{{cite web|title=2007 Round 1|url=http://f-challenge.jp/fcj/race/archive/2007/index07r01.shtml|work=Formula Challenge Japan|accessdate=31 December 2013|archive-date=1 January 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101152747/http://f-challenge.jp/fcj/race/archive/2007/index07r01.shtml|url-status=dead}}</ref> In the final season of the Formula Toyota, Cozzolino won the title. Cozzolino was strong all season long, but [[Keisuke Kunimoto]] had the lead before the final round of the season. At the final round of the season at [[Fuji International Speedway]] Cozzolino qualified second and Kunimoto sixth. After a strong race Cozzolino won the race, KyoYu did not finish the race, thus the championship was decided in Cozzolino's favour.


Line 35: Line 37:


===Asian Le Mans Series===
===Asian Le Mans Series===
In 2018–2019, the [[Ferrari 488]] [[Group GT3|GT3]] of the privately run [[Car Guy Racing|CAR GUY]] team, with fellow team mates Takeshi Kimura and [[James Calado]], win all four legs of the [[2018–19 Asian Le Mans Series]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Asian Le Mans Series Champions Crowned in Malaysia {{!}} Asian Le Mans Series|url=http://www.asianlemansseries.com/uncategorized/asian-le-mans-series-champions-crowned-in-malaysia-2/|access-date=2019-04-21|language=en-US|archive-date=2019-04-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421121801/http://www.asianlemansseries.com/uncategorized/asian-le-mans-series-champions-crowned-in-malaysia-2/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The team achieves an auto-invitation to enter into the [[2019 24 Hours of Le Mans|2019 24 hours of Le Mans]].
In 2018–2019, the [[Ferrari 488]] [[Group GT3|GT3]] of the privately run [[Car Guy Racing|CAR GUY]] team, with fellow team mates Takeshi Kimura and [[James Calado]], win all four legs of the [[2018–19 Asian Le Mans Series]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Asian Le Mans Series Champions Crowned in Malaysia {{!}} Asian Le Mans Series|url=http://www.asianlemansseries.com/uncategorized/asian-le-mans-series-champions-crowned-in-malaysia-2/|access-date=2019-04-21|language=en-US|archive-date=2019-04-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421121801/http://www.asianlemansseries.com/uncategorized/asian-le-mans-series-champions-crowned-in-malaysia-2/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The team achieves an auto-invitation to enter into the [[2019 24 Hours of Le Mans|2019 24 hours of Le Mans]]. Cozzolino returns to the series with AF Corse teaming up with [[Emmanuel Collard]] and Charlie Samani.


===24 hours of Le Mans===
===24 hours of Le Mans===
Cozzolino has made 2 appearances in Le Mans (2019 and 2020). In 2019, he finishes [[2019 24 Hours of Le Mans|5th in class]]. At his second attempt in 2020, the [[Ferrari 488 GTE|Ferrari 488 GTE EVO]] of the MR Racing team, suffers a mechanical problem early on the race and forced to be 7 laps behind the leader. In the end the team retires due to a gearbox failure on lap 172.
Cozzolino has made 3 appearances in Le Mans (2019, 2020 and 2023). In 2019, he finishes [[2019 24 Hours of Le Mans|5th in class]]. At his second attempt in 2020, the [[Ferrari 488 GTE|Ferrari 488 GTE EVO]] of the MR Racing team, suffers a mechanical problem early on the race and forced to be 7 laps behind the leader. In the end the team retires due to a gearbox failure on lap 172.
In the 2023 edition, he will compete with the Kessel Racing's Ferrari 488 GTE EVO number 74, in an all-Japanese drivers lineup.
In the 2023 edition, with the Kessel Racing's Ferrari 488 GTE EVO number 74 finishing 9th in class.


===FIA World Endurance Championship===
===FIA World Endurance Championship===
After his remarkable achievement in 2019, Cozzolino signed to drive for the MR Racing team in [[FIA World Endurance Championship|FIA WEC]] 2019-2020 season. Pairing up with [[Olivier Beretta]] and Motoaki Ishikawa, the team's best finish was 3rd in the opening round at Silverstone. However later into the season, MR Racing has withdrawn from the series due to Covid-19. Cozzolino returns to the final round in Bahrain with Red River Sport.
Following his remarkable achievement in 2019, Cozzolino secured a contract to compete for the MR Racing team during the FIA WEC 2019-2020 season. He teamed up with Olivier Beretta and Motoaki Ishikawa, and their best performance came in the form of a 3rd place finish in the opening round at Silverstone. Unfortunately, as the season progressed, MR Racing was forced to withdraw from the series due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.Cozzolino made a return to the series for the final round in Bahrain, this time with Red River Sport.

In 2023, he joined forces with Kessel Racing for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Monza events. Subsequently, he made a comeback with AF Corse to participate in the Fuji and Bahrain rounds.


===Super GT===
===Super GT===
In 2016, Cozzolino made his debut in the Super GT series upon being promoted to the prestigious position of a Lamborghini Young Driver. During that year, he participated in only two rounds, driving the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 as a member of the Direction Racing team.
His debut in Super GT was at his promotion to become a [https://www.lamborghini.com/en-en/motorsport/drivers/young-drivers-program Lamborghini Young Driver] in 2016. Cozzolino participates in only 2 rounds with the [[Lamborghini Huracán GT3|Lamborghini Huracan GT3]] of the Direction Racing team. He returns to the series in 2020, to replace [[Nicki Thiim]] in the Pacific - [http://dstation-racing.jp D'station Racing team's] Aston Martin Vantage GT3, pairing up with the team's ace driver [[Tomonobu Fujii]]. 2021 he debuts the Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo with the [https://www.pacific-racing.jp PACIFIC NAC CARGUY Racing Team], pairing up with 2012 Super GT 300 Champion [[Naoki Yokomizo]].

Cozzolino's return to the series took place in 2020 when he stepped in to replace Nicki Thiim for the Pacific - D'station Racing team, driving the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 alongside the team's star driver, Tomonobu Fujii.

In the year 2021, Cozzolino embarked on a new venture, debuting the Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo with the PACIFIC NAC CARGUY Racing Team, forming a partnership with the 2012 Super GT 300 Champion, Naoki Yokomizo.

Looking ahead to 2024, Cozzolino is set to rejoin the series as part of the PONOS Racing team, piloting the Ferrari 296 GT3. He will be teaming up with Ferrari Factory Driver, [[Lilou Wadoux]], in this exciting new chapter of his Super GT career.


==Racing record==
== Racing record ==


=== Formula Toyota results ===
=== Formula Toyota results ===
Line 161: Line 171:
! 7
! 7
! 8
! 8
! Pos.
! Driver's Championship
! Points
! Points
|-
|-
Line 276: Line 286:
|[[Sepang International Circuit|SEP 1]]
|[[Sepang International Circuit|SEP 1]]
|[[Sepang International Circuit|SEP 2]]
|[[Sepang International Circuit|SEP 2]]
!27th
!21st*
!16*
!16
|}
|}
<sup>*</sup> Season still in progress.
<sup>*</sup> Season still in progress.


=== FIA World Endurance Championship results ===
=== Complete FIA World Endurance Championship results ===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%"
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%"
! Year
! Year
! Entrant
! Entrant
!Class
!Car
! 1
! 1
! 2
! 2
Line 293: Line 305:
! 7
! 7
! 8
! 8
! Pos.
! Driver's Championship
! Points
! Points
|-
|-
| [[2010 Formula Nippon season|2019-20]]
| rowspan="2" | [[2019–20 FIA World Endurance Championship|2019-20]]
! MR Racing
! [[AF Corse|MR Racing]]
! rowspan="2" |LMGTE
| style="background:#EFCFFF;" | [[Silverstone Circuit|SIL]]<br>3
Am
| style="background:#CFCFFF;" | [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ]]<br>4
! rowspan="2" |[[Ferrari 488 GTE|Ferrari 488 GTE Evo]]
| style="background:#DFFFDF;" | [[Shanghai International Circuit|SHA]]<br>7
| style="background:#CFCFFF;" | [[Bahrain International Circuit|BAH]]<br>7
| style="background:#FFDF9F;" | [[2019 4 Hours of Silverstone|SIL]]<br>{{small|3}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;" | [[Circuit of the Americas|COT]]<br>10
| style="background:#DFFFDF;" | [[2019 6 Hours of Fuji|FUJ]]<br>{{small|4}}
| style="background:#DFFFDF;" | [[Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps|SPA]]<br>DNS
| style="background:#DFFFDF;" | [[2019 4 Hours of Shanghai|SHA]]<br>{{small|7}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;" | [[Circuit de la Sarthe|LEM]]<br>20
| style="background:#DFFFDF;" | [[2019 8 Hours of Bahrain|BHR]]<br>{{small|7}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;" | [[Bahrain International Circuit|BAH]]<br>DNS
| style="background:#DFFFDF;" | [[2020 Lone Star Le Mans|COA]]<br>{{small|10}}
|[[2020 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps|SPA]]
!11th
| style="background:#EFCFFF;" | [[2020 24 Hours of Le Mans|LMS]]<br>{{small|Ret}}
!43
|
! rowspan="2" |14th
! rowspan="2" |45
|-
!Red River Sport
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| style="background:#DFFFDF;" |[[2020 8 Hours of Bahrain|BHR]]<br>{{small|10}}
|-
| rowspan="2" |[[2023 FIA World Endurance Championship|2023]]
![[Car Guy Racing|Kessel Racing]]
! rowspan="2" |LMGTE
Am
! rowspan="2" |[[Ferrari 488 GTE|Ferrari 488 GTE Evo]]
|[[2023 1000 Miles of Sebring|SEB]]
|[[2023 6 Hours of Portimão|POR]]
|[[2023 6 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps|SPA]]
| style="background:#DFFFDF;" |[[2023 24 Hours of Le Mans|LMS]]<br>{{small|9}}
| style="background:#EFCFFF;" |[[2023 6 Hours of Monza|MNZ]]<br>{{small|Ret}}
|
|
|
! rowspan="2" |28th
! rowspan="2" |0
|-
![[AF Corse]]
|
|
|
|
|
| style="background:#CFCFFF;" |[[2023 6 Hours of Fuji|FUJ]]<br>{{small|12}}
| style="background:#CFCFFF;" |[[2023 8 Hours of Bahrain|BHR]]<br>{{small|11}}
|
|}
|}


Line 400: Line 451:
|-
|-
| [[2020 Super GT Series|2020]]
| [[2020 Super GT Series|2020]]
! Pacific - [http://dstation-racing.jp D'station Racing] [[Aston Martin Racing|AMR]]
! Pacific - [[D'station Racing]] [[Aston Martin Racing|AMR]]
![[Aston Martin Vantage (2018)|Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3]]
![[Aston Martin Vantage (2018)|Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3]]
!GT300
!GT300
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ (1)]]<br>{{small|10}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ1]]<br>{{small|10}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ (2)]]<br>{{small|19}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ2]]<br>{{small|19}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Suzuka Circuit|SUZ (1)]]<br>{{small|10}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Suzuka Circuit|SUZ1]]<br>{{small|10}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Twin Ring Motegi|MOT (1)]]<br>{{small|18}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Twin Ring Motegi|MOT1]]<br>{{small|18}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ (3)]]<br>{{small|24}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ3]]<br>{{small|24}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Suzuka Circuit|SUZ (2)]]<br>{{small|24}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Suzuka Circuit|SUZ2]]<br>{{small|24}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Twin Ring Motegi|MOT (2)]]<br>{{small|25}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Twin Ring Motegi|MOT2]]<br>{{small|25}}
|style="background:#FFFFFF;"| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ (4)]]<br>{{small|}}
|style="background:#FFFFFF;"| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ4]]<br>{{small|}}
!28th
!28th
!2
!2
Line 419: Line 470:
!GT300
!GT300
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Okayama International Circuit|OKA]]<br>{{small|23}}
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Okayama International Circuit|OKA]]<br>{{small|23}}
|style="background:#;"| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ (1)]]<br>{{small|}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ1]]<br>{{small|25}}
|style="background:#;"| [[Suzuka Circuit|SUZ]]<br>{{small|}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[Suzuka Circuit|SUZ]]<br>{{small|6}}
|style="background:#;"| [[Twin Ring Motegi|MOT (1)]]<br>{{small|}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"| [[Twin Ring Motegi|MOT1]]<br>{{small|4}}
|style="background:#;"|[[Sportsland SUGO|SUG]]<br>{{small|}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"|[[Sportsland SUGO|SUG]]<br>{{small|15}}
|style="background:#;"|[[Autopolis|AUT]]<br>{{small|}}
|style="background:#dfffdf;"|[[Autopolis|AUT]]<br>{{small|9}}
|style="background:#;"|[[Twin Ring Motegi|MOT]]<br>{{small|}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"|[[Twin Ring Motegi|MOT2]]<br>{{small|19}}
|style="background:#;"| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ (2)]]<br>{{small|}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ2]]<br>{{small|13}}
!14th
!23rd*
!NC*
!17
|-
|[[2024 Super GT Series|2024]]
![[PONOS Racing]]
![[Ferrari 296 GTB#296 GT3|Ferrari 296 GT3]]
!GT300
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| [[Okayama International Circuit|OKA]]<br>{{small|11}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ]]<br>{{small|9}}
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| [[Suzuka International Racing Course|SUZ]]<br>{{small|6}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[Fuji Speedway|FUJ]]<br>{{small|11}}
|style="background:#dfdfdf;"| [[Sportsland Sugo|SUG]]<br>{{small|2}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[Autopolis|AUT]]<br>{{small|24}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[Twin Ring Motegi|MOT]]<br>{{small|15}}
|style="background:#cfcfff;"| [[Suzuka International Racing Course|SUZ]]<br>{{small|21}}
! 12th
! 22
|}
|}
<sup>*</sup> Season still in progress.
<sup>*</sup> Season still in progress.

=== Complete IMSA SportsCar Championship results ===
([[Template:Motorsport driver results legend|key]]) (Races in '''bold''' indicate pole position; races in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap)
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:90%"
!Year
!Entrant
!Class
!Make
!Engine
!1
!2
!3
!4
!5
!6
!7
!8
!9
!10
!Rank
!Points
|-
|[[2024 IMSA SportsCar Championship|2024]]
![[AF Corse]]
!GTD
![[Ferrari 296|Ferrari 296 GT3]]
![[Ferrari]] 3.0 L Turbo [[V6 engine|V6]]
|[[2024 24 Hours of Daytona|DAY]]
|[[2024 12 Hours of Sebring|SEB]]
|[[2024 Grand Prix of Long Beach|LBH]]
|[[2024 Motul Course de Monterey|LGA]]
|[[2024 Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen|WGL]]
|[[2024 Chevrolet Grand Prix|MOS]]
|[[2024 IMSA SportsCar Weekend|ELK]]
|[[2024 Michelin GT Challenge at VIR|VIR]]
|[[2024 Battle on the Bricks|IMS]]
|[[2024 Petit Le Mans|PET]]
!
!
|}


==References==
==References==
Line 463: Line 569:
[[Category:Le Mans Cup drivers]]
[[Category:Le Mans Cup drivers]]
[[Category:Lamborghini Super Trofeo drivers]]
[[Category:Lamborghini Super Trofeo drivers]]
[[Category:Ferrari Competizioni GT drivers]]
[[Category:WeatherTech SportsCar Championship drivers]]
[[Category:Toyota Gazoo Racing drivers]]

Latest revision as of 17:59, 3 January 2025

Kei Francesco Cozzolino
Born (1987-11-09) 9 November 1987 (age 37)
NationalityJapan Japan
OccupationRacing driver
FIA World Endurance Championship
Racing licence FIA Gold
Years active2019 – 2023
TeamsAF Corse
Championship titles
GT World Challenge Asia
Asian Le Mans Series
Lamborghini Super Trofeo
Esso Formula Toyota
Awards
2022GT World Challenge Asia Overall Champion
2018 Asian Le Mans GT Champion
2017 Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia Champion
2007 Esso Formula Toyota Champion

Kei Francesco Cozzolino (born in Shinjuku, Tokyo, November 9, 1987) is a Japanese-Italian professional racing driver from Shinjuku, Tokyo. He competes in motorsport championships including the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC), 24 Hours of Le Mans, Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona, and the Asian Le Mans Series with AF Corse. Cozzolino joined the 2024 Super GT series, driving a Ferrari 296 GT3 for PONOS RACING.

Early life

[edit]

Cozzolino was born in Ichigaya, Shinjuku by Japanese mother and Italian father. He grew up in Japan and had his first experience with racing at 8 years old, thanks to his dad's passion for cars. When Cozzolino turned 14, they moved to Florence, Italy, where he will study at an international school.[1]

Racing career

[edit]

Karting

[edit]

Cozzolino started karting at the age of 9. He competed and won in various competitions in classes in Japan and around the world. His karting career ended in 2005 when he switched to racing cars.

Junior Formula

[edit]

In 2006, Cozzolino made his debut in auto racing, in the Formula Toyota series, during the second round of the championship at Sendai Hi-Land Raceway.[2] Cozzolino finished tenth out of eleven finishers. In 2007, he competed in the Formula Challenge Japan and the Formula Toyota classes. In the Formula Challenge Japan, supported by Nissan, Toyota and Honda, Cozzolino won one race. All the drivers who entered both the Formula Toyota and Formula Challenge Japan series were supported by Toyota. This was to promote the Formula Challenge Japan as a replacement of the Formula Toyota after the series disbandment.[3] In the final season of the Formula Toyota, Cozzolino won the title. Cozzolino was strong all season long, but Keisuke Kunimoto had the lead before the final round of the season. At the final round of the season at Fuji International Speedway Cozzolino qualified second and Kunimoto sixth. After a strong race Cozzolino won the race, KyoYu did not finish the race, thus the championship was decided in Cozzolino's favour.

Formula 3

[edit]

After his 2007 Formula Toyota championship the young driver graduated to the All-Japan Formula Three Championship driving Now Motor Sport in a Dallara F308. As a result of winning the championship Cozzolino tested for the Toyota Tom's Formula Nippon factory team. In his debut year in Formula 3 the young Italian achieved four podium finishes and a ninth place in the championship. He also participated in the 2008 Macau Grand Prix Formula Three where he finished fifteenth. For the 2009 season, Cozzolino switched to the only Honda powered entry Toda Racing. He achieved his first win in Formula Three during the round at Twin Ring Motegi. But with the Toyota Tom's team dominating the championship Cozzolino was best of the rest finishing fourth.

Formula Nippon (Super Formula)

[edit]

For the 2010 season, Cozzolino graduated to the Formula Nippon, the highest racing class in Japan. Cozzolino participated in a Toyota powered Swift FN09 entered by Team LeMans.[citation needed] His best finish was a fourth place at Autopolis. During the non-championship Fuji Sprint Cup he achieved his first pole-position and eventually finished tenth in the standings.[citation needed]

World Touring Car Championship

[edit]

After more than a year without racing Cozzolino was announced as a replacement of Alberto Cerqui for the Guia Race of Macau.[4] 29 drivers attempted to qualify for the event of which 23 could start the race, Cozzolino qualified 22nd. In the first race he had an accident after seven laps but he was qualified 20th. In the second race he was the last running driver in 19th place 2 laps behind the winning driver.

Asian Le Mans Series

[edit]

In 2018–2019, the Ferrari 488 GT3 of the privately run CAR GUY team, with fellow team mates Takeshi Kimura and James Calado, win all four legs of the 2018–19 Asian Le Mans Series.[5] The team achieves an auto-invitation to enter into the 2019 24 hours of Le Mans. Cozzolino returns to the series with AF Corse teaming up with Emmanuel Collard and Charlie Samani.

24 hours of Le Mans

[edit]

Cozzolino has made 3 appearances in Le Mans (2019, 2020 and 2023). In 2019, he finishes 5th in class. At his second attempt in 2020, the Ferrari 488 GTE EVO of the MR Racing team, suffers a mechanical problem early on the race and forced to be 7 laps behind the leader. In the end the team retires due to a gearbox failure on lap 172. In the 2023 edition, with the Kessel Racing's Ferrari 488 GTE EVO number 74 finishing 9th in class.

FIA World Endurance Championship

[edit]

Following his remarkable achievement in 2019, Cozzolino secured a contract to compete for the MR Racing team during the FIA WEC 2019-2020 season. He teamed up with Olivier Beretta and Motoaki Ishikawa, and their best performance came in the form of a 3rd place finish in the opening round at Silverstone. Unfortunately, as the season progressed, MR Racing was forced to withdraw from the series due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.Cozzolino made a return to the series for the final round in Bahrain, this time with Red River Sport.

In 2023, he joined forces with Kessel Racing for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Monza events. Subsequently, he made a comeback with AF Corse to participate in the Fuji and Bahrain rounds.

Super GT

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In 2016, Cozzolino made his debut in the Super GT series upon being promoted to the prestigious position of a Lamborghini Young Driver. During that year, he participated in only two rounds, driving the Lamborghini Huracan GT3 as a member of the Direction Racing team.

Cozzolino's return to the series took place in 2020 when he stepped in to replace Nicki Thiim for the Pacific - D'station Racing team, driving the Aston Martin Vantage GT3 alongside the team's star driver, Tomonobu Fujii.

In the year 2021, Cozzolino embarked on a new venture, debuting the Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo with the PACIFIC NAC CARGUY Racing Team, forming a partnership with the 2012 Super GT 300 Champion, Naoki Yokomizo.

Looking ahead to 2024, Cozzolino is set to rejoin the series as part of the PONOS Racing team, piloting the Ferrari 296 GT3. He will be teaming up with Ferrari Factory Driver, Lilou Wadoux, in this exciting new chapter of his Super GT career.

Racing record

[edit]

Formula Toyota results

[edit]
Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Driver's Championship Points
2007 Le Beausset Motorsports FUJ
5 		SUZ
2 		MOT
3 		SEN1
2 		SEN2
1 		SUG
1 		FUJ
1 		1st 103

Japanese Formula 3 results

[edit]
Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Driver's Championship Points
2008 Now Motorsports FUJ
3 		FUJ
5 		AUT
2 		AUT
4 		SUZ
6 		SUZ
3 		MOT
8 		MOT
4 		OKA
7 		OKA
7 		SUZ
5 		SUZ
DNF 		MOT
6 		MOT
6 		FUJ
3 		FUJ
4 		SUG
6 		SUG
DNF 		6th 133
2009 Toda Racing FUJ
4 		FUJ
4 		OKA
4 		OKA
4 		SUZ
5 		SUZ
5 		FUJ
5 		FUJ
DNF 		OKA
9 		OKA
7 		MOT
2 		MOT
1 		AUT
4 		AUT
3 		SUG
4 		SUG
4 		4th 66

Formula Nippon results

[edit]
Year Entrant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Pos. Points
2010 Team LeMans SUZ
Ret 		MOT
10 		FUJ
8 		MOT
13 		SUG
7 		AUT
4 		SUZ1
13 		SUZ2
14 		10th 8

Complete Blancpain GT Series Asia & GT World Challenge Asia results

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Year Team Car Class 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Pos. Points
Blancpain GT Series Asia
2018 Car Guy Racing Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Silver SEP 1 SEP 2 BUR 1 BUR 2 SUZ 1 SUZ 2 FUJ 1
1 		FUJ 2
15 		SHA 1 SHA 2 ZHE 1 ZHE 2 20th 25
2018 Car Guy Racing Lamborghini Huracán GT3 Pro-Am SEP 1 SEP 2 BUR 1 BUR 2 SUZ 1
16 		SUZ 2
12 		FUJ 1
30 		FUJ 2
18 		SHA 1 SHA 2 NIN 1 NIN 2 NC 0
GT World Challenge Asia
2022 Car Guy Racing Ferrari 488 GT3 Evo 2020 Pro-Am SEP 1 SEP 2 SUZ 1
1 		SUZ 2
5 		FUJ 1
1 		FUJ 2
3 		SUG 1
2 		SUG 2
3 		OKA 1
2 		OKA 2
12 		1st 126
2023 Car Guy Racing Ferrari 296 GT3 Pro-Am BUR 1 BUR 2 FUJ 1
12 		FUJ 2
9 		SUZ 1 SUZ 2 MOT 1
7 		MOT 2
24 		OKA 1
6 		OKA 2
16 		SEP 1 SEP 2 27th 16

* Season still in progress.

Complete FIA World Endurance Championship results

[edit]
Year Entrant Class Car 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Pos. Points
2019-20 MR Racing LMGTE

Am

Ferrari 488 GTE Evo SIL
3 		FUJ
4 		SHA
7 		BHR
7 		COA
10 		SPA LMS
Ret 		14th 45
Red River Sport BHR
10
2023 Kessel Racing LMGTE

Am

Ferrari 488 GTE Evo SEB POR SPA LMS
9 		MNZ
Ret 		28th 0
AF Corse FUJ
12 		BHR
11

24 Hours of Le Mans results

[edit]
Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps Pos. Class
Pos.
2019 Japan Car Guy Racing Japan Takeshi Kimura
France Côme Ledogar 		Ferrari 488 GTE GTE
Am 		332 35th 5th
2020 Japan MR Racing Monaco Vincent Abril
Japan Takeshi Kimura 		Ferrari 488 GTE Evo GTE
Am 		172 DNF DNF
2023 Switzerland Kessel Racing Japan Yorikatsu Tsujiko
Japan Naoki Yokomizo 		Ferrari 488 GTE Evo GTE
Am 		303 38th 9th

Super GT results

[edit]
Year Team Car Class 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 DC Points
2016 Lamborghini Team Direction Shift Lamborghini Huracan GT3 GT300 OKA
16 		FUJ
17 		SUG
 FUJ
 SUZ
 CHA
 MOT
 MOT
 NC 0
2018 CarGuy Racing Honda NSX GT3 GT300 OKA
 FUJ
26 		SUZ
 BUR
 FUJ
 SUG
 AUT
 MOT
 NC 0
2020 Pacific - D'station Racing AMR Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 GT300 FUJ1
10 		FUJ2
19 		SUZ1
10 		MOT1
18 		FUJ3
24 		SUZ2
24 		MOT2
25 		FUJ4
 28th 2
2021 Pacific - Car Guy Racing Ferrari 488 GT3 EVO 2020 GT300 OKA
23 		FUJ1
25 		SUZ
6 		MOT1
4 		SUG
15 		AUT
9 		MOT2
19 		FUJ2
13 		14th 17
2024 PONOS Racing Ferrari 296 GT3 GT300 OKA
11 		FUJ
9 		SUZ
6 		FUJ
11 		SUG
2 		AUT
24 		MOT
15 		SUZ
21 		12th 22

* Season still in progress.

Complete IMSA SportsCar Championship results

[edit]

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant Class Make Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Rank Points
2024 AF Corse GTD Ferrari 296 GT3 Ferrari 3.0 L Turbo V6 DAY SEB LBH LGA WGL MOS ELK VIR IMS PET

References

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  1. ^ "Intervista a Kei Cozzolino - S.FORMULA LIGHTS". www.italiaracing.net (in Italian). Retrieved 2024-07-05.
  2. ^ "Formula Toyota Round 2". Toyota Motorsports. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  3. ^ "2007 Round 1". Formula Challenge Japan. Archived from the original on 1 January 2014. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  4. ^ "Alberto Cerqui replaced by Kei Cozzolino for WTCC Macau". Autosport. Retrieved 31 December 2013.
  5. ^ "Asian Le Mans Series Champions Crowned in Malaysia | Asian Le Mans Series". Archived from the original on 2019-04-21. Retrieved 2019-04-21.
[edit]
Sporting positions
Preceded by Formula Toyota
Champion
2007 		Succeeded by
None
(Series ended)
Preceded by
Jesse Krohn
Jun-San Chen
 Asian Le Mans Series
GT Champion
2018–19
With: James Calado & Takeshi Kimura 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
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