Kazuki Nakajima: Japan’s Three-Time Le Mans Winner
Kazuki Nakajima: Japan’s Three-Time Le Mans Winner
A Williams F1 driver who became Japan’s only multiple Le Mans winner with Toyota. Here is the career of Kazuki Nakajima.
Kazuki Nakajima is the most successful Japanese driver in the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. A former Williams Formula 1 driver and son of F1 pioneer Satoru Nakajima, he won Le Mans three years running (2018, 2019, 2020) with Toyota and the 2018–19 World Endurance Championship — the only Japanese multiple winner of the great race.
1. Formula 1 with Williams
From F1 to endurance greatness.
Nakajima raced in Formula 1 for Williams from 2007 to 2009 before moving into sportscars, where he found his true home with Toyota’s endurance programme.1
2. Three Le Mans wins
A hat-trick at the greatest race.
Nakajima won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2018, 2019 and 2020 — all with Toyota, and the first two alongside Fernando Alonso and Sébastien Buemi — plus the 2018–19 World Endurance Championship. He is the only Japanese driver to win Le Mans more than once.1
3. A racing dynasty
Following his father’s path.
He is the son of Satoru Nakajima, Japan’s first full-time F1 driver — making the Nakajimas Japanese motorsport royalty across two generations. Kazuki later became a Toyota motorsport executive.1
4. Why he matters
Japan’s endurance king.
Nakajima is the standard-bearer for Japan at Le Mans, part of a proud tradition of Japanese drivers at the great race and Toyota’s endurance success.
Frequently asked questions
How many times did Kazuki Nakajima win Le Mans?
Three — in 2018, 2019 and 2020, all with Toyota; he is the only Japanese multiple winner.
Did he race in Formula 1?
Yes — for Williams from 2007 to 2009.
Is he related to Satoru Nakajima?
Yes — he is the son of Satoru Nakajima, Japan’s first full-time F1 driver.
Keep exploring
Explore the stories, systems and culture behind Japanese sport.
Sources & notes
- Williams F1 2007–09; Le Mans wins 2018/2019/2020 with Toyota; 2018–19 WEC champion; only Japanese multiple Le Mans winner; son of Satoru Nakajima. Wikipedia; 24h-lemans.com.
A profile dated 21 June 2026. No copyrighted material is reproduced.
📅 更新履歴
| 日付 | 変更内容 |
|---|---|
| 2026年6月22日 | 初回公開 |
✅ ファクト再検証
最終検証日：2026年6月22日
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