Kobayashi signs 2010 Sauber deal
Date published : 17 Dec 2009 - 08:07:14
Rising Japanese star Kamui Kobayashi has been announced as the Sauber team's first driver for the 2010 season, its first without the backing of BMW in five years.The 23-year-old burst onto the Formula 1 scene as a stand-in for the injured Timo Glock at Toyota in the final two races of this year and impressed the paddock with his performances, particularly when he finished sixth at the season finale in Abu Dhabi.That drive seemed set to earn him a full-time deal at Toyota, but the Japanese manufacturer's decision to quit the sport last month threw his 2010 prospects into limbo.However, on Thursday Sauber revealed that the Japanese, who has been a member of Toyota's young driver programme, would fill one of its seats in the new season.Team founder Peter Sauber, who has agreed to buy the Hinwil squad back from the departing BMW, reckons Kobayashi's performances at the end of the season showed the young star has plenty of potential.I'm very much looking forward to working together with Kamui, Sauber said in a statement. In the final two Grand Prix of last season he was granted an unexpected chance to show his skills, and he made impressive use of it. Particularly in the Abu Dhabi race he demonstrated not only that he can drive fast and aggressively, but also his ability to successfully implement a strategy. I am convinced he has a great deal of potential and will be able to make the most of it in our team.Kobayashi had been Toyota's third driver for the last two seasons but had come into F1 on the back of a low-key campaign in F1's GP2 feeder series.But with a full-time F1 drive now in the bag, the reigning GP2 Asia champion admits his lifelong dream has been realised.Ever since the start of my career I have dreamed of racing in Formula 1, said Kobayashi. Now this dream has come true. I am very happy that my two races in 2009 have earned me a cockpit place. I will do my very best for Peter Sauber's team and I am proud to be able to carry on flying the Japanese flag in Formula 1.
