This weekend's DTM season finale is set to be a historic occasion, as the Japanese SUPER GT championship will be sending three cars and five drivers to take part at Hockenheim in the first competitive meeting between the two series.
The Japanese series could be seen as the DTM's Asian counterpart, especially since the two series adopted the Class One regulations last year. In this first crossover event, Honda, Lexus and Nissan will each be represented by one of their GT500 cars. But who are the drivers that will be battling DTM's regulars at the Hockenheimring this weekend? Time for an introduction.
#1 Team Kunimitsu Raybrig Honda NSX-GT
Driver: Jenson Button (GBR)
Out of all drivers, Jenson Button is by far the best known and hardly needs an introduction. The 2009 Formula One world champion has a connection to Honda that goes back nearly two decades. Button joined the Honda-powered British American Racing F1 team in 2003, staying on when the team became Honda for 2007 and 2008 before winning the title with Brawn in 2009. After five seasons in a Mercedes-powered McLaren, he remained on board during Honda's difficult F1 return before retiring from his full time seat after the 2016 season.
He has since retained a close relationship with the brand, which resulted in a SUPER GT-seat since 2017. He is currently the defending series' champion, after he won the 2018 title with partner Naoki Yamamoto. Button is the only driver who will not be sharing driving duties at Hockenheim, with the Briton set to compete in all session. This is in contrary to Nissan and Lexus, who both bring two drivers.
#35 Nismo Motul Autech Nissan GT-R
Drivers: Tsugio Matsuda (JPN) & Ronnie Quintarelli (ITA)
The Motul-branded Nissan GT-R is perhaps the best known of all SUPER GT runners, and its driver pairing is by far the most experienced of those present at Hockenheim this weekend. Japanese veteran Tsugio Matsuda might be as synonymous with the series as his red Nissan. Matsuda has competed in every season since 2000 and has won 20 races, and won two of his most recent titles (in 2014 and 2015) with partner Quintarelli.
Quintarelli is one of SUPER GT's most successful drivers in his own right. The 40-year-old Italian won four titles (2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015) and has captured fifteen victories. Matsuda and Quintarelli have captured three pole positions and four podium finishes in 2019, but have yet to win a race this year.
#37 Lexus Team KeePer TOM's Lexus LC500
Drivers: Ryo Hirakawa (JPN) & Nick Cassidy (NZL)
Despite their young age (both drivers are 25 years old), the duo of Hirakawa and Cassidy is undeniably fast. The two won the 2017 championship together, and remain a strong title contender in 2019. Hirakawa joined SUPER GT at age 20, and won the title in only his second season. He currently has five wins to his name.
New Zealander Cassidy came up through the single seater ranks, before a Toyota works deal landed him in SUPER GT in 2016. He won the title with Hirakawa in 2017 and has scored three victories in his SUPER GT-career.
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