Kanato Le Explained

Kanato Le
Nationality: Japanese
Birth Date:4 July 2007
Birth Place:Japan
Current Series:Formula Regional European Championship
First Year:2024
Current Team:G4 Racing
Car Number:6
Starts:8 (8 entries)
Wins:0
Podiums:0
Poles:0
Fastest Laps:0
Best Finish:TBD
Year:2024
Prev Series:FR Middle East Championship
F4 British Championship
Formula 4 UAE Championship
Ginetta Junior Championship
Prev Series Years:2024
2023
2023
2022

is a Japanese racing driver currently competing in the 2024 Formula Regional European Championship for G4 Racing. He previously competed in the 2023 F4 British Championship, placing seventh in the standings.

Career

Karting

Le had a consistent karting career where he finished in the top 10 in most championships he was in. His career was highlighted by winning the 2021 IAME Euro Series and coming second in the 2021 IAME Winter Series in the X30 Junior class.[1]

Ginetta Junior Championship

In 2022, he made his foray into car racing in the 2022 Ginetta Junior Championship with Elite Motorsport, where drivers as young as 14 would start their motorsport career and hone their craft. Le was no exception, as he got two wins, one pole position and five podiums, and came seventh in the championship.[2] He was the second highest rookie, behind of 2023 F4 British Championship runner-up, William MacIntyre.

Formula 4 UAE Championship

In late 2022, he made his debut in the trophy round of the 2023 Formula 4 UAE Championship for Hitech Pulse-Eight, with fellow 2023 F4 British Championship competitors, James Piszcyk, William Macintyre and 2023 GB3 Championship driver Alex Dunne.[3] He would finish 5th and 2nd in the races.

Le would also drive in the 2023 Formula 4 UAE Championship with his teammates in the trophy round, barring the exception of Dunne, who would be replaced by Red Bull Junior Team member Arvid Lindblad.[4] After coming up pointless in the first round, he would score his first points at the Kuwait Motor Town and would have a inconsistent season, but came home with 22 points and finishing 17th place in the championship.

F4 British Championship

Alongside his Formula 4 UAE campaign, he was announced to be driving in the 2023 F4 British Championship with Hitech Pulse-Eight.[5] He would be rejoined by Formula 4 UAE teammates William Macintyre, Piszcyk and newcomer Gabriel Stilp.

Le kicked off his season with two points finishes at Donington Park, before taking his first win during the first race of the second round at Brands Hatch.[6] A podium followed at the next round in Snetterton, before securing his second win at Oulton Park.[7] He would get his last podium of the series at the third-to-last round at Knockhill.[8] Le would finish the championship in seventh place, with 195 points.[9]

Formula Regional

Formula Regional Middle East Championship

Le was announced to be a part of the R-ace GP lineup for the 2024 Formula Regional Middle East Championship, alongside acclaimed drivers; Tuukka Taponen, Martinius Stenshorne, Zachary David and Jesse Carrasquedo Jr.[10] He drove in the final two rounds and scored a lone point in his campaign at the second to last race at the Dubai Autodrome. Le finished 22nd in the overall standings.

Formula Regional European Championship

Le would drive in the Formula Regional European Championship for 2024 with G4 Racing, alongside Carrasquedo Jr. and Romain Andriolo.[11]

GB3

Le would make his debut in the 2024 GB3 Championship with Chris Dittmann Racing at Spa-Francorchamps.[12]

Karting record

Karting career summary

SeasonSeriesTeamPosition
2019Motorsport UK Kartmasters Grand Prix - X30 MiniFusion Motorsport7th
IAME Asia Final - Junior AutoInc Racing9th
British Kart Championship - X30 MiniFusion Motorsport18th
2020IAME International Games - X30 JuniorFusion Motorsport 5th
Kartmasters British Grand Prix - Rotax Junior6th
IAME Winter Cup - X30 JuniorFusion Motorsport13th
IAME Euro Series - X30 Junior2nd
2021LGM Series - Junior X30 Strawberry Racing19th
IAME International Games - X30 JuniorStrawberry Racing 5th
British Kart Championship - X30 JuniorStrawberry Racing9th
IAME Warriors Final - X30 JuniorStrawberry Racing11th
IAME Euro Series - X30 JuniorStrawberry Racing1st
IAME Winter Cup - X30 JuniorFusion Motorsport2nd

Racing record

Racing career summary

SeasonSeriesTeamRacesWinsPolesF/LapsPodiumsPointsPosition
2022Ginetta Junior ChampionshipElite Motorsport2521053747th
Formula 4 UAE Championship - Trophy RoundHitech Pulse-Eight20001N/AN/A
2023Formula 4 UAE ChampionshipHitech Pulse-Eight1500002217th
F4 British Championship3020441957th
2024Formula Regional Middle East ChampionshipR-ace GP60000122nd
Formula Regional European ChampionshipG4 Racing800000*23rd*
GB3 ChampionshipChris Dittmann Racing3000046*15th*

Complete Ginetta Junior Championship results

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

Complete Formula 4 UAE Championship results

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

Complete F4 British Championship results

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

Complete Formula Regional Middle East Championship results

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

Complete Formula Regional European Championship results

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

Complete GB3 Championship results

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

Notes and References

  1. Web site: IAME Euro Series 2021 - X30 Junior 2020. 1 May 2024. DriverDB. en.
  2. Web site: Ginetta Junior 2022 Standings. 1 May 2024. DriverDB. en.
  3. Web site: 7 November 2022. Hitech confirm Kanato Le for the 2023 ROKiT British F4 and FIA F4 UAE Championship. Hitech GP.
  4. Web site: Your season guide to the 2023 F4 UAE Championship. 11 January 2023. 1 May 2024. Feeder Series. en.
  5. Web site: Kanato Le confirms 2023 Rokit British F4 seat with Hitech GP. F4 British Championship. November 8, 2022. November 8, 2022.
  6. Web site: Waring. Bethonie. 6 May 2023. Kanato Le takes first British F4 win in Brands Hatch race split into two. 1 May 2024. Formula Scout. en-GB.
  7. Web site: Waring. Bethonie. 17 June 2023. Kanato Le wins British F4’s red flag-interrupted Oulton Park opener. 1 May 2024. Formula Scout. en-GB.
  8. Web site: Waring. Bethonie. 13 August 2023. Gowda takes lights-to-flag Knockhill British F4 win. 1 May 2024. Formula Scout. en-GB.
  9. Web site: F4 British Championship 2023 Standings. 1 May 2024. DriverDB. en.
  10. Web site: Formula Regional Middle East Championship Talent Showcase set for 2024 Season - FR Middle East Championship Certified by FIA . 2024-01-10 . en.fregionalme.com.
  11. Web site: G4 Racing signs rising star Kanato Le for FRECA 2024 Championship. 11 January 2024. 1 May 2024. G4 Racing. en.
  12. Web site: Wood. Ida. 28 May 2024. FRegional racer and F4 race-winner Kanato Le to make GB3 debut at Spa. 30 May 2024. Formula Scout. en-GB.