Kamui Kobayashi driving for Toyota at Suzuka in 2009
Kamui Kobayashi got his F1 break for Toyota after Timo Glock was injured during qualifying for the 2009 Japanese Grand Prix.
The team tried to get Kobayashi in the cockpit for his home race at Suzuka, but were refused permission from the stewards. But with Glock still injured as the following race approached, Kobayashi was confirmed as Jarno Trulli’s team mate for the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Kobayashi came to F1 via the Toyota Young Driver Programme. He came to their attention eight years earlier, when he participated in the Formula Toyota Racing School. This followed a successful spell in karts, culminating in victory in the 2001 All Japan Kart Championship.
In 2003 Kobayashi took second in the Formula Toyota championship, and with that shifted the focus of his career to Europe. The Italian Formula Renault championship was his first stop in 2004, where two wins in his first season gave him fourth place in the championship.
He returned to the series to take the title in 2005 with six wins, and also claimed the Formula Renault Eurocup crown with five victories.
Formula Three was his next step and he was the best rookie in the Euro Series in 2006, finishing eighth overall. He won once in 2007, finishing the year fourth in the championship.
With Toyota’s backing, Kobayashi now moved up to GP2, starting in the 2007-08 Asia series for DAMS. He remained with the team in the main series where he won once and ended the championship in 16th.
After winning the GP2 Asia series on his return, claiming two race victories, more was expected of Kobayashi’s second year in GP2. But he placed 16th once again and this time didn’t even manage to win a race.
Nonetheless he had become the third driver for Toyota’s F1 team in 2008. Glock’s injury late in 2009 opened the door for Kobayashi to become a Formula 1 driver – and the first Japanese to race for Toyota in F1.
Kobayashi certainly made an impression in his first two F1 races. At Brazil he kept chempionship leader Jenson Button behind him for several laps. But his driving tactics were brought into question – particularly when countryman Kazuki Nakajima crashed while trying to pass him.
But the rookie shone at the season finale in Abu Dhabi. After qualifying in the middle of the field he rose up the order partly thanks to keeping Kimi Räikkönen behind him at the start – no mean feat given he was up against a world champion armed with a KERS power boost button. That allowed Kobayashi to rise through the order and finish sixth, beating team mate Jarno Trulli.
Toyota’s decision to quit F1 threatened to bring Kobayashi’s F1 career to a halt. But at the end of 2010 the re-formed Sauber team announced he would drive for them in 2010.
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Image (C) Toyota F1 Team
and he was sizzling at Interlagos
I give him best rookie in 2009!
Agreed!
Kobayashi was definitely rookie of the year. Loved his drive in Brazil, took no crap from the other drivers who assumed he would jump out of their way just because he was a stand-in. Although thought he was a bit naughty with his blocking move on Nakajima. Would love to se him back in F1 and in a good car. It’s great to see a rookie mix it up…
as Brundle said, some rookies handle pressure differently. Grosjean struggled under pressure and performed badly, whilst Kobayashi couldn’t care less about pressure and just got on and drove well.
I hope we see him race again, was impressed.
He was definately keen to make an impression.
I’ve never seen F1 like that before and it grabbed everyone because of how different he was.
But I think if he came back full time, they would have him drive like everyone else because that’s the ‘Safe’ option.
Would still be good to see what else he’s got up his sleeve.
GO KOBAYASHI !
i agree with everyone to be honest. this boy took my eyes and now im happy he is with Sauber who have one of the fastest cars so far. and he did a good job in the test that just happened and i hope today he does something more, it looks like BMW Sauber could have a first win or first pole position this year for sure, go Kobayashi. best rookie of the year 09
am I the only one who doesn’t like Kobayashi?..I think he’s too aggressive and has no ability to assimilate what’s going on around him, risking serious accidents..but if you like Hamilton’s *Monza 2008* driving style, I can’t see why you wouldn’t like Kobayashi
I understand your love for precision, and I do share that as well. However, I also love some excitement, and its fun to watch a driver take big risks. I suppose that is the American in me, but sometimes I love when a guy takes on an “all or nothing” challenge.
Who will be the driver who will join Kobajashi ?
If Sauder car/motor will support that Japanese he will make a hart time for many F1 world champions like Hamilton, shumacher Alonso and also Button. Take my F1 fans, he will be a pain in the hard of the body and motor support him.
Till March…
God speed kobayashi!!!! You’re my new hero. Make japan proud.
I am a fan of ferari but i see with that Kobayashi is a very good driver it was shown in the last 2 races i was watching the abdhabi race live he was amazing so hope to see him in F1 race he deserve it.
I like his style, this guy is going to make it, mark my words. It might take a few years, but being japanese, I think will envoke racism which I find unacceptable, especially in F1. Japan has had some great drivers but they have not had many chances have they ? Sato for one was let down in my opinion.
Congratulations to Kamui for getting his first points this year at Istanbul! May there be many more!
Great job at Valencia, Kamui!
Another well done for Silverstone!