Reigning FIA GT1 World Champion Michael Krumm will return to the Japanese-based Super GT Series in 2012.
The German, who has a long-standing contract with the Japanese manufacturer, had been expected to move back to a series he won in 1997 and 2003 following the end of the British JRM team's involvement in the GT1 world championship.
His place in the factory NISMO-run Nissan GT-R alongside former teammate Satoshi Motoyama was confirmed on the announcement of Nissan's worldwide racing program this morning. Krumm is replacing Le Mans 24 Hours winner Benoit Treluyer, who will be confirmed as a full-time Audi LMP1 driver next week. The swap is the only change in Nissan's four-car lineup in the GT500 class for 2012.
Krumm, 41, said: "This is the first time in three years that I am entering Super GT and I am looking forward to it. I am happy to be driving the No. 23 Nissan with Satoshi Motoyama. He was my teammate in 2003 when we were series champions and we will be trying to win the championship this year."
Nissan will be defending its Super GT drivers' and manufacturers' titles with a revised version of the GT500 GT-R silhouette racer. Developments focus on the engine, front-end aerodynamics and a lowering of the center of gravity.
Nissan also confirmed its factory support for the Nissan-engine LMP2 cars run by the Signatech and Greaves Motorsport squads its the FIA World Endurance Championship and European Le Mans Series, respectively.