Takeshi Kimura

Takeshi Kimura was born in Nagoya, Japan, and grew up in a family devoted to motorsport from an early age. Even in karting, his instinct for line selection and race tactics became apparent, qualities that set him apart from his peers early on. The Japanese karting scene, known for its density of talent, served as a tough but valuable training ground for his years in motorsport to come.

Kimura’s path upward led him consistently through Asian junior series, where he proved himself in both formula and GT3 vehicles. This versatility proved to be the key to his future career, as it enabled him to make the jump into GT3 endurance projects and eventually into the FIA WEC, where endurance, consistency, and technical understanding beyond karting reflexes are required. The transition from short sprints to endurance formats was a decisive developmental step for Kimura as a driver.

Among the greatest successes of his career to date is winning the championship in the GT World Challenge Asia in 2022, which brought his name to a wider international audience for the first time. Additionally, Kimura secured a class victory in the Asian Le Mans Series, a result that underscores his ability to consistently run at the front even under the pressure of international endurance racing. These successes formed the foundation on which his further rise into the FIA WEC was built.

In the 2026 season, Takeshi Kimura competes for his current team in the FIA WEC, where he works together with his teammate to translate the experience gathered in previous years into consistent results. The stated goal for the upcoming season is to establish himself permanently in the front field and build on the strong results of the past. For Kimura himself, this season is another important step in his international career, which has led from karting in Nagoya to the big stages of endurance racing.