Kobayashi in the hunt after impressing Toyota

Monday 2nd November 2009

Kamui Kobayashi has almost certainly guaranteed himself a place in F1 for next season after impressing Toyota motorsport boss John Howett.

Taking up the seat for the final two races vacated by Timo Glock in the wake of his qualifying accident in Japan that left him with a cracked vertebra, Kobayashi has shone in Brazil and Abu Dhabi.

The 23-year-old was ninth on his debut in Sao Paulo a fortnight ago prior to claiming sixth in F1's first day-night race at the superb Yas Marina circuit, a place ahead of experienced team-mate Jarno Trulli.

Kobayashi showed no fear, at one stage going wheel-to-wheel with new World Champion Jenson Button, and now he is "70 to 80% certain" of being given a permanent contract, according to Howett.

"We're very impressed," said Howett of Kobayashi, who is a product of the team's driver development programme.

"What we like is his real fighting spirit. He's not intimidated by anybody, which is very positive."

Asked if that was one of the seats taken up for next year as neither Trulli nor Glock are likely to be retained, Howett added: "It looks like it.

"We'll have to give it very serious consideration. He's shown very good, strong resolve, so we have to be serious.

"He has come through the Toyota driver programme, which is a very positive reason. He's also Japanese and we're a Japanese team, so there are lots of positives."

Kobayashi would be cheap in terms of salary, as Howett recognised by describing him as "definitely good value".

Although Kobayashi failed to impress in GP2, Howett added: "That's why there was some hesitation.

"We always understood he was very good in terms of racing spirit, as he has shown throughout his career.

"But because the GP2 pace did not look that competitive, you are hesitant about the risk.

"So it's a definite lesson that sometimes we should be braver in our driver choices and not go for a safer, risk-hedged decision."

Howett has confirmed a decision will be made on both seats by the end of the month, with nothing likely before November 15, when the team will hold a board meeting to determine their 2010 budget.

Your Comments

sennaprost

"LOL, when the Japanese finally find a promising driver all Japanese manufacturers are gone"

Peti

"He had almost such good start as Robert Kubica in 2006 year. "

ravenx

"@Cattaghia, Kobayashi's spirited and somewhat feisty but fair driving style reminds me more of Jacques than Gilles. If he is given a race seat, he is definitely my prime candidate for rookie of the year 2010"

backpage

"Great performance. Gutsy, precise, unintimidated, yet not stepping over the line aggression-wise. If you don't like the way he took on Button, there is something wrong with your eyesight. We'll all look forward to seeing more of him."

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