1302 replies to this topic

[Redliner]

Well that didn't take long for Woobens to get to Williams.

So who's in the other Brawn seat? I figured Rubens would stick w/ Brawn since they gave him a fair chance at the title and really...does Williams have the strength to get back to the top?

Also, I am NOT a fan of tire wars...it was difficult to distinguish between a good car or a good tire...

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

Sushi boy to F1 driver... How can you not like this kid?

Kobayashi feared for racing career

By Jonathan Noble Monday, November 2nd 2009, 11:06 GMT

Kamui Kobayashi may be set to land a race seat at Toyota for 2010, but he has revealed that just a few weeks ago he thought his future was going to be making sushi at his father's restaurant in Japan.

The Japanese driver has made a big impression in his two race outings for Toyota - scoring points in Abu Dhabi and showing the world he is not afraid to fight with the big stars after overtaking world champion Jenson Button.

And although his speed has now made it almost certain Toyota will keep him in the car for next year, Kobayashi has said that were it not for the opportunity offered to him by Timo Glock's absence, he would likely have been forced to turn his back on racing because of a lack of finances.

When asked that if there had been no F1 chance for next year would he have returned to GP2, Kobayashi said: "No, no, no. I have no budget, no budget. So I cannot drive GP2 for next year.

"I would probably go back to Japan to maybe work with my father in his sushi restaurant! It was like that two months ago, seriously. When I was 16 years old, I worked there - making sushi!"

Kobayashi has said he knew that, after a disappointing campaign in GP2 this year, he needed to impress in his two race outings for Toyota.

"That was why for two weeks I was always in Germany [at Toyota's factory]," he said. "I came back to my home for just one day. Then I was in Germany for briefings. At that moment, I didn't know if I would be able to drive – but in case I was driving I knew I had one chance to show what I could do.

"So I had to think, I had to organise it before and understand what was happening. I had to do everything to understand what the problems were in Interlagos, and if I had the chance – everything, tyre work, car set-up, I worked on."

Although Toyota F1 president John Howett has said it 'looks like' Kobayashi will get one of the team's race drives in 2010, the man himself says he has been told nothing yet about the future plans.

"I don't know," he said about the future. "I have tried to be a Toyota driver for next year, but I didn't know how much I could show before. I just had to do the best at each moment – and it seems to have finally worked well. Still I have many things to do – I have to improve qualifying, and I need time. But in the last two weeks they have been quite good for me."

He added: "The future for me, I cannot decide. Of course I have got more chance, but I cannot decide for next year – so I am waiting for a long winter and we will see.

"I haven't signed anything. Of course, I still only have Toyota possibility because I am a Toyota young driver. But I don't want to believe so much. If I have to drive, I will drive and do what I have to do. I will prepare for next year to drive, but I cannot say anything about next year yet because it is not my decision."

[AErrorist]

It would be a good idea for any team to pick up Kobayashi...


Koby-Satowned USF1 FTW?!

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

It would be a good idea for any team to pick up Kobayashi...


Koby-Satowned USF1 FTW?!

All-Japanese lineup in USF1?

[_R_]

Sushi boy to F1 driver... How can you not like this kid?

holy shit... a real life Initial D

[kngrsll]

wow, crazy day for news it seems! thats pretty cool about Koby.

2011 is going to be a crazy year with new tires. nothing would upset the balance in F1 more than that i would think.

[Nacho]

Quite the severance package.

Nick Heidfeld had an emotional last few laps with BMW Sauber on Sunday, but a post-race gesture by the team's founder might have cheered him up.

The Hinwil-based team's owner BMW now departs Formula One, and although bought by the Qadbak consortium, Sauber does not have a guaranteed entry to return to the grid in 2010.

Heidfeld raced for Sauber's privateer team in 2001-2003, before returning to the Swiss camp for the start of the BMW era four years ago.

"It now becomes very emotional," said Heidfeld after finishing fifth and ensuring the team move ahead of his former team Williams in the standings. "During the last laps I had to pull myself together in order to keep my concentration."

The team signed off on Sunday night by revealing that Heidfeld is to receive a special parting gift.

"As a thank you for Nick Heidfeld's seven years of great commitment to the team in Hinwil, Peter Sauber is giving him a Formula One car from this era," the team said.

[yonson]

That's pretty damn cool! Slap some signals, headlights, and a starter on it and make it a daily driver

[kngrsll]

i found it! http://f1store.formu....aspx?pid=66170

expensive, but i totally think im going to buy it. im such an F1 shirt whore i have too much want for the white/red Ferrari shirt too

[vietlol]

Quite the severance package.

This is like that time Renault gave Alonso the R25 right before he signed with Mclaren I wonder which car he will get from his era? I think he'd have the fondest memories of the 2007 car.

[chiuey]

i found it! http://f1store.formu....aspx?pid=66170

expensive, but i totally think im going to buy it. im such an F1 shirt whore i have too much want for the white/red Ferrari shirt too

:biggthumb:

[vietlol]

Safety car for next year, I like the retro except GTR headlights

[Redliner]

Rumors are that Toyota have a big announcment on 11/8...perhaps they are finally dropping out of F1?

What happens to Kobayashi? I hope he picked up a ride for next year with someone...he deserves it after his 2 drives. Esp if you compare his performance to the rest of the "highly vaulted" rookie class that has been more lame than sizzle.

[Dr. Jimmmah!]

Rumors are that Toyota have a big announcment on 11/8...perhaps they are finally dropping out of F1?

What happens to Kobayashi? I hope he picked up a ride for next year with someone...he deserves it after his 2 drives. Esp if you compare his performance to the rest of the "highly vaulted" rookie class that has been more lame than sizzle.

minus the wrong pit box problem jaime wasn't too bad.

[Nacho]

Race of Nations was on today.

I know who won.

Race of Champions tomorrow.

[DrDickAction]

Safety car for next year, I like the retro except GTR headlights

Yeah, the datsun style lamps ruin it.

[DrDickAction]

Rumors are that Toyota have a big announcment on 11/8...perhaps they are finally dropping out of F1?

What happens to Kobayashi? I hope he picked up a ride for next year with someone...he deserves it after his 2 drives. Esp if you compare his performance to the rest of the "highly vaulted" rookie class that has been more lame than sizzle.

Maybe they sell their team to Qadbak or whoever and only supply engines.

Kobayashi will get a drive, no doubt about that.

[_R_]

Race of Nations was on today.
I know who won.
Race of Champions tomorrow.

reading my morning motorsport news screwed me on that on
forgot it was so soon...

[draobpi]

Qadbak Sauber said they would use Ferrari engines though...probably since Sauber had a good relation with them in the past.

[DrDickAction]

Qadbak Sauber said they would use Ferrari engines though...probably since Sauber had a good relation with them in the past.

and the durka durka /ferrari love.

[Redliner]

Maybe they sell their team to Qadbak or whoever and only supply engines.

Kobayashi will get a drive, no doubt about that.

Sometimes, talent isn't enough to get a ride

aka Sato trying out at Red Bull.

[DrDickAction]

Sometimes, talent isn't enough to get a ride

aka Sato trying out at Red Bull.

6 more drives this year and a batch of unimpressive rookies...he'll have a seat.

Maybe if he had debuted in '07 he'd be SOL, but not this year.

[draobpi]

no sponsor money = no drive in the potentially 3 new available drives.

[Skyliner]

hold the bus

what if Toyota signs Kobayashi and the Bearded one? I will genuinely support them




oh god

[DrDickAction]

hold the bus

what if Toyota signs Kobayashi and the Bearded one? I will genuinely support them




oh god

not sure how I missed this quote, but I'd have a new favorite on the grid