Kobayashi keen on a Lotus drive

Friday 6th November 2009

Toyota's withdrawal from F1 may have left Kamui Kobayashi without a 2010 race-seat but the Japanese driver hasn't given up on his Formula One dream.

Kobayashi has two grand prix starts to his name after being called up to replace the injured Timo Glock in the Brazilian and Abu Dhabi races, impressing the Toyota bosses.

And while it appeared as if the Japanese racer would land a drive with Toyota for next year's Championship, the team's demise has left him once again seeking employment.

"Obviously my seat there is gone, I was close to signing the contract for that season only, but with four new teams, and a couple of current ones with no confirmed drivers, there are options, but to the current teams, I am a "risk", which isn't very good for my morale really," he told thef1times.

"I do believe I'll get a seat, if I had to choose a team, I'd choose Lotus. The name is enough really.

"McLaren are out of my league, Ferrari are the same, Renault I'm not sure of, Red Bull are secure, Brawn have Rosberg I think, Williams are done, I do not even know if Sauber will be here next year, Toro Rosso just want the same drivers. I think for me, my options are the four new teams really."

Kobayashi is also getting some assistance from Toyota with the Japanese outfit doing what they can to secure him a race-seat for next season.

"They're working with myself and my agent to help me find a seat, they are doing the same for Kazuki Nakajima as well, Toyota explained to me that they couldn't compete in the sport no longer but will help me in my career as much as possible."

Your Comments

freewi11

"considering Button's driving style/skills, and looking at his career, he's not that bad at all. Admittedly, I always been a Button fan since about 02-03 to present, he's not shabby but his early yrs with his career moves wasn't the most greatest of choices; he prob lost focus and just pursued the highlife and not on his career. And BAR/Honda's cars weren't great to expose his talents except for 04. If we're talking about mediocre drivers: Trulli, Fisi, Glock. Kovalainen, Buemi, Sutil, Piquet Jr, grosjean, Algusarsuari guy, Nakajima to name a few. Kobayashi didn't show Button he was a better driver then him, merely showing he can be a great driver one day. Kobayashi still rough around the edges, but i instantly like his potential and rapid progress"

zvonko

"diego and Brent; I am happy to see that you also watched the Bazilian and Abu Dhabi GPs objectively and without the Union Jack tinted spectacles on :-) Sorry that I can't resit trashing Button freewi11, but I agree with you that Kobayashi is stellar... a breath of fresh air that the sport desperately needs."

diego

"@ zvonko: Amen brotha! I am amazed that ANYONE would consider Button being a worthy champion and have the gall to say he is a better racing driver than Kamui! Kamui made him look like a complete idiot out there in just 2 races! Kamui deserves a seat way more than that one-hit wonder Butt-on"

freewi11

"What's with all the sacking of Button from all the past comments? If Button didn't deserve to be World Champion, the he'll simply wouldn't be World Champion, right? Although he is consistent driver, his passes are good and clean, but he's not a very daring and a risk-taker like other drivers. But back to Kobayashi, he is stellar. Probs the only Japanese driver that has a chance to win GPs' and (don't jinx) Drivers' Title one day(?) And think, if Toyota stayed for next yr, signed Koba. win a GP with a all Japanese Driver/Constructor/Engine next year...TMC brass, you fools!"

All comments on this story