Kamui Kobyashi looks set to drive for the Toyota F1 team in the 2010 season. The 23 year old Japanese driver has only ever made 2 Grand Prix appearances – Brazil and Abu Dhabi this season, where he stood in for the injured Timo Glock and has impressed many people with his 9th and 6th place finishes.
Toyota look set for a completely new driver line up for the 2010 season with Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock rumoured to go elsewhere.
When asked is Kobayashi will be driving for Toyota next season, Toyota motorsport president John Howett replied with:
“It looks like it, yes.”
“We have to really seriously consider him now after this good strong result.”
“I was very impressed, we were very happy again.”
“What we like is his real fighting spirit, not intimidated by anybody.”
“He’s a product of our own driver programme so therefore it’s another positive reason, he’s Japanese and we’re a Japanese team. So there are lots of positives.”
“I think we always understood he was very good in terms of racing spirit, I think all through his career.”
“But partly because the GP2 pace didn’t look that competitive you are always hesitant about the risk.
“I think it’s a definite lesson that sometimes we all should be braver in our driver choices and not go for the safer, risk-hedged decision.”
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[...] this story is true, it is ironic to think that everyone had thought Kamui Kobayashi had secured a drive with the team after impressive displays in his 2 races. Will he have to go back to his Dad’s sushi [...]