Japan has never produced a truly great Formula 1 driver, but that could change if exciting rookie Kamui Kobayashi lands an F1 race seat. Kobayashi excelled when given the opportunity to drive for Toyota in the final two Grand Prix races of the 2009 Formula 1 season, replacing Timo Glock who was injured.
Kobayashi and the Road to Formula 1
Kobayashi was born on September 13th, 1986, the son of a sushi chef. Instead of a career in the kitchen Kobayashi decided to pursue his dream of becoming a professional racing driver and by the late 1990s he was an accomplished kart racer. He won several titles during this period, before his career received a major boost from Toyota.
In 2004 Kobayashi was spotted by Toyota talent scouts who signed him up for the company's young driver programme. He was entered in the Italian Formula Renault championship and quickly adapted to single-seaters, recording two victories.
For 2006 Kobayashi moved into Formula 3, competing in the Euroseries with ASM. He had several team-mates, including future Red Bull Formula 1 star Sebastian Vettel. In an extremely competitive series Kobayashi displayed his talent once again. He scored three podiums and ended the year as top rookie, eighth overall in the championship.
Kobayashi travelled to Macau at the end of 2006 and qualified on pole around the demanding and treacherous street circuit. In the race itself he became involved in a first lap incident which ruined his chance of a good result.
At Magny-Cours in 2007 Kobayashi won his first ever Formula 3 Euroseries race, and went on to finish fourth overall in the final championship standings. He also carried out duties as a test driver for the Toyota Formula 1 team.
A move up to GP2 initially went well for Kobayashi, as he claimed the GP2 Asia title. In the main championship, however, he struggled and lay well down the standings at the time of the 2009 Japanese Grand Prix.
Kobayashi and Toyota in Formula 1
During qualifying at Suzuka regular Toyota F1 driver Timo Glock crashed heavily, resulting in injuries which sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Into the breach stepped Kobayashi, who made his Formula 1 World Championship debut at the 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix.
In the race Kobayashi impressed many by running ahead of World Championship leader Jenson Button for many laps. Kobayashi had qualified just outside of the top ten and finished the race in ninth, one position away from a World Championship point.
At the next Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi Kobayashi produced another stellar performance. He made up six places from his starting position to finish sixth and score three points. Kobayashi crossed the line one place ahead of his fast and experienced team-mate Jarno Trulli.
Any chance of Kobayashi landing a race seat with Toyota for the 2010 F1 season evaporated with the Japanese company's decision to withdraw from Grand Prix racing. Kobayashi will be left to search elsewhere for a drive, possibly with one of the new teams entering Formula 1 next season.
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