Kazuki Watanabe is an experienced rider with a strong record in his native Japan. Born in Yamanashi, his credits include winning the J-GP2 title in the All Japan Road Race Championship in 2012, a second place finish in the Suzuka 8 Hours in 2016, and a season in the FIM Supersport World Championship in 2017. Watanabe also has a handful of starts in the intermediate class of Grand Prix racing, in both the 250cc and Moto2™ eras, and was Team Suzuki Ecstar’s choice to fill in for Joan Mir in the MotoGP™ when the Spaniard was ruled out of the 2022 San Marino Grand Prix due to injury.