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I’ve just finished my first stay of the year out here in Japan, just over three weeks in all and that has also put an end to our pre-season testing schedule. Lexus Team LeMans has been to Suzuka, Fuji, Okayama and then back to Suzuka again.

The main difference compared to last year is a slightly revised aero package and engine but the car still looks and feels very similar to last year. As for the team we’ve got a new team manager in former JTCC/SGT/ChampCar driver Takuya Kurosawa – engineer Kenji and my teammate Daisuke are staying on so it looks like we’ve got a strong package this season. It’s hard to know exactly how competitive we’ll be at the first race but our pace has been very strong over the course of testing compared to the other Lexus teams. Our main concern is the new Honda which in testing has looked rather average, but most certainly because they do not want to show their true potential this early.

As for returning to Japan, it feels great. Every winter seems to get harder and harder, I guess most people would welcome a two month holiday but for us drivers it’s agony before you get back behind the wheel again. I kept busy fitness training and spent Christmas and New Years in Sweden with my family and Ellen but we’ve had a cold winter so my golf game has really suffered. My teammate Daisuke seems to have put in a lot of practice judging from the photos he’s posting on his blog so I’m looking forward to playing a round with the team as soon as things start to calm down a little bit here.

I’m currently exploring other racing opportunitys back in Europe and my aim is to do one or a few more events in categories outside of Super GT this season since I’ve got a flexible schedule. We’re going to have to wait for a while before I know exactly what is going to happen but it would be nice to be back under the European spotlight again.

I will also get more involved in driver tuition this year, I’m teaming up with local company BHP Msport who apart from trading and mantaining performance cars also offer their clients track day experiences. Our first outing will be on the 19th of April at Nurburgring where they have full access to the Nordschleife including the GP track. There are still places available if it appeals – check out this link.

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