If you were able to catch the final two rounds of the 2009 Formula 1 World Championship then you should be familiar with a Japanese driver by the name of Kamui Kobayashi. Kobayashi has been serving as the third driver at Toyota’s Formula 1 outfit since November 2007, after replacing Franck Montagny. The Toyota F1 driver is also competing in the GP2 series which is another feeder series for Formula 1.
Kobayashi’s non-testing driving role in the Toyota F1 team actually started at this year’s Japanese Grand Prix when he replaced Timo Glock for the first two practice sessions, following Glock’s health-related issues. Glock then had a crash during qualifying and did not compete in the race the next day.
Glock’s health advisers then recommended the German not to take part in the remaining two races of the season. Glock’s misfortune was a blessing for Kobayashi as he was then summoned to race in Brazil and in last weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. In his first qualifying session, he managed to secure 11th place although his team mate Jarno Trulli was fourth fastest.
During the race at the Interlagos track in Sao Paulo, he drove a clean race most of the time and spectators started to notice more of him when the Japanese driver performed some gutsy wheel to wheel racing with his competitors on track.
Kobayashi successfully defended against championship contenders Jenson Button from Brawn and Sebastian Vettel from Red Bull during race. Button even labeled the Japanese driver ‘crazy’. The highlight of his race debut was the battle he had with fellow Japanese driver Kazuki Nakajima from Williams. Kobayashi was exiting the pits following a routine pit stop and came out right in front of the Williams driver.
Kobayashi was so determined not to give the position away that Nakajima hit the back of Kobayashi’s car and subsequently lost front wing and eventually hit a tire barrier at Turn 4. Kobayashi managed to finish in ninth place, just a place away from a point finish.
At the season finale Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, he managed to qualify in 12th place and it was later revealed that he did so with a very heavy fuel load. During the race, he was running based on a one stop strategy. He started to shine when everyone else who were running on two stop strategies made their first pit stops. With a lighter car, Kobayashi was charging forward and even made a successful, sensational pass on newly-crowned World Champion Jenson Button.
Although he had a lighter car underneath him, Kobayashi’s aggressive driving style and raw talent were evident. He kept his nose clean through out the race and managed to cross the finish line in sixth place and earned three valuable points. He even finished ahead of his more experienced team mate Jarno Trulli.
I have been following Formula 1 for the past decade and only a handful of drivers managed to push me to the edge of my seat with ballsy moves while being able to keep on racing till the checkered flag is waived. Those few include Michael Schumacher, Mika Hakkinen as well as Fernando Alonso. I must admit that Kobayashi is looking good to be included in that list. With just two races, he has quickly became the talk of town. Furthermore, it is very likely that he will be named as one of the 2010 drivers for Toyota.
I hope he manages to secure a race seat as I would love to see him more in action. Its about time that Japan gets its first Formula 1 World Champion. Recent Formula 1 drivers from the Land of Rising Sun have failed to really shine, but that may change with Kobayashi. So will he be considered as the next Schumacher from Japan? Judging from his performance so far, my answer is: Most likely!
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HUH…HE IS VERY IMPRESSIVE…TOO AGGRESIVE… but still number 5 behind hamilton, alonso, raikkonen and vettel
Great driver, hope he gets a seat next season !
cool… cannot wait for next year race…
I have been waiting for Takuma Sato to make it back into F1 with his gutsy driving style. Looks like we have Kobayashi to fill that role. I am still hoping for Sato though.
yup he is vy aggressive during the brazil race
but his GP2 races are inconsistent
not too much shining point bac then
he looks gay, suits my taste
I'm pretty sure that Kobayashi dared to take on Button in those two races as he saw it as a great opportunity to prove his worth and garner some attention – another rookie vs champ situation. That battle between him and Button at Yas Marina was amusing, he didn't give up to reclaim the spot that was taken from him. And the decision to go for a one-stop strategy was surely aggressive. It'l be great to see more of him next year, I have a feeling he might even secure a few podiums at least.
Friends,I am from Brasil and we are thinking that Kobayashi will be the best japan"s driver.These two last races were so boring.He save them.Thanks all.
Kobayashi makes the slowish Toyota feel like a top range F1 car. He compete against Button (a 2009 Champ) and won that Duel. That speaks well for itself.
Toyota team weakness has always been their slow drivers. Mclaren manage a respectful third place thanks to Hamilton. Renault pips ahead of Toyota in the 2008 championship thanks to Alonso.
I don't understand why Toyota spends more money than any other team and yet they use these slow drivers. is just a joke!
Glock is the driver who let Hamilton passed on the final corner of the final lap… How embarrassing.
Trulli is known as the Trulli train. This means in the race, he is always slow and force everyone behind him to follow him like a train.
Kobayashi?
huhu…
I am faster than Kobayashi.
I am Free practice Banchou!
Most Japanese drivers are really crazy tho…
who came up with the driving sideways grand prix? Japanese too ^^
Could Kobayashi be the 1st Asian F1 race winner?
This dude is perhaps the most interesting japanese/asian driver for F1. Banzai kamikaze style driving and very daring on challenging top drivers. Apart of the spectactular scenery and Kobayashi, the abu dhabi race was quite boring.
He is not the Schumacher of the east,bring on the Senna of the east!!!
F1…..BORING…..
i want buttsegggs with him
Boring said,
I pity you…
JULIAN_LEE said,
November 3, 2009 @ 4:06 am
he looks gay, suits my taste
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you gay ahh?
ROTFLMAO, buttseggs!? …..Next Season, ALONSO! ,cuz schumi had 2 titles before he raced for the reds, same wit d spaniard, He's a bloody good driver , pity to see Kimi walkin around lookin for a seat though….
alonso is too good for buttsegggs
Hopefully he does not become too aggressive like a certain US driver for BMW williams with ralf shumacher. Taking out own team mate in a race is a bizzarre.
mystvearn said,
Hopefully he does not become too aggressive like a certain US driver for BMW williams with ralf shumacher. Taking out own team mate in a race is a bizzarre.
Are you referring to Montoya? He's Columbian ya know? Yes, he is aggressive yet entertaining. F1 loose a bit of its character seems he left.
TOYOTA may announce its EXITS from F1 next week…..so he may not get a
drive next season….
THEN this is good chance for Lotus F1 to get him instead of Trulli and Fairuz :)
shawal.Ali said,
NO… Kimi willl be at McLaren next season and nice to see him battle with Lewis….
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JULIAN_LEE……..you are so disgusting………..you enbrassed all MALES in Malaysia
this guy is really talented
Hope he will stay in F1 next year and prove himself as the fastest Japanes yet.
They call him the Juan Pablo Montoya of Asia, you either love him, or hate him.. but we need this guy in the race .. ::salute::
I'm with Button. I think he can afford to be 'crazy' now cuz he's still a newbie.
I don't think his driving style will make him, or anyone, a driver's champion. Champions are normally more sensible.
can we just talk about the topic we are discussing.
Aggressive + good aerodynamic package always makes different in F1. This guy has the characteristic which similar to Lewis, Kimi, Fellipe and Alonso. He can excel. Unlike Heidfeld lack of aggresiveness though he is consistent.
TOYOTA pull out from F1! So Proton moves into it? It seems F1 is going to be no-name against no name. I am not shock if Ferarri pulls out.
YES…the world largest manufacturer Toyota pull out of F1 as they think
NOT worth putting hundred millions each year but achieve nothing……
BUT proton has the gut to enter…..WTF…. Even BMW ,Honda and Toyota are saying that they dont know what they get or benefits by entering F1
aksMs said,
November 3, 2009 @ 2:12 pm
Boring said,
I pity you…
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Thanks for your 'KAY POH CHI'.
When the Japs are pulling out from F1, suddenly they got a potential race winner… probably this bloke's situation is a classic case of being at right place at a wrong time.. All the best to him..
sorry, typo error.. `being at the right place at the wrong time.."