Kamui Kobayashi

**Kamui Kobayashi** is a Japanese professional racing driver who previously competed in F1.5 between 2010 and 2012 and also making a one year return in 2014. Kobayashi drove for Sauber and Caterham.

## F1.5 History

### Sauber (2010-2012)

#### 2010 Season

It was confirmed on December 17, 2009, he would drive for Sauber for the 2010 season. Despite the team having been sold by BMW back to founder Peter Sauber after the 2009 season, and no longer using BMW components, the team was still named BMW Sauber as it had been known for the past four seasons. His teammate was former McLaren tester Pedro de la Rosa. Kobayashi completed his first laps in the new Sauber C29 chassis during winter testing on 2 February.

During the Australian Grand Prix, a front wing failure on his Sauber caused him to hit the barrier, rebounding off it to cause a three-car crash taking out Nico Hülkenberg and Sébastien Buemi. In the next race in Malaysia he qualified in ninth place, his best grid position up to that point, however he suffered an engine failure early in the race. In China, Kobayashi was involved in a three-way collision with Buemi and Vitantonio Liuzzi on the first lap, making him the only driver to retire from the first four races. His first points of the season came in Spain when he finished 7th.

Kobayashi took his maiden F1.5 podium at round 10, when he finished third at the British Grand Prix. At the Italian Grand Prix, Kobayashi suffered a gearbox failure and retired from the Singapore Grand Prix after hitting a track-side barrier. Kobayashi's teammate changed in Singapore as Pedro de la Rosa was removed in favour of Nick Heidfeld. In Japan, Kobayashi raced to an impressive 2nd place after starting towards the back.

Overall he finished the season 6th with 117 points.

#### 2011 Season

Kobayashi remained with Sauber (renamed from BMW Sauber to Sauber F1 Team) in 2011, where he was partnered by GP2 graduate Sergio Pérez.

Kobayashi finished on the podium in the season opening Australian Grand Prix, but he and Pérez – who had also finished on the podium – were disqualified after the race due to an irregularity with the car's rear-wing. For the next six rounds Kobayashi finished in the top 5, taking his first podium of the year in Malaysia. Kamui took his maiden F1.5 win at Monaco and then would finish third at the next race in a wet Canadian GP. This would be his final podium of the year. Kobayashi did take his maiden pole position later in the year at his home race in Japan, but finished the race 7th.

#### 2012 Season

On 28 July 2011, it was announced that Kobayashi would remain with Sauber into the 2012 season, alongside teammate Pérez.

Kobayashi started the season with a win at the first round in Australia, followed by a retirement at the Malaysian Grand Prix, due to a problem with his car's brakes. He would return to the podium a few races later in Spain with a third place finish, followed by another retirment in Monaco, The same happened at the next race with a podium followed by a retirment. After the retirement he returned back to the podium in Silverstone, and at the next race he scored his second race win of the year at Germany. He would later win another race, being his home GP at Japan after taking pole position.

On 23 November 2012, Sauber announced that Kobayashi would not be a part of the team's line-up for the 2013 season, as Nico Hülkenberg and Esteban Gutiérrez would form the race team and Robin Frijns as reserve driver. Despite raising around €8 million in sponsorship, Kobayashi elected to focus on gaining a competitive drive for the 2014 season rather than a 2013 drive.

### Caterham (2014)

On 21 January 2014, it was confirmed that Kobayashi would return to Formula 1.5 with the Caterham team for the 2014 season partnering Swedish driver Marcus Ericsson after considerable speculation about the team's all new line-up for the new season. At the first race of the season, the Australian Grand Prix, Kobayashi crashed into Massa at the start due to a brake failure. He scored points at the next two races finishing 8th and 9th.

On 20 August 2014, it was announced that German driver André Lotterer would replace Kobayashi for the Belgian Grand Prix race weekend. He returned to racing action at the Italian Grand Prix after Lotterer declined a further offer due to the seat being taken in practice by Roberto Merhi, who was attempting to qualify for an FIA Super Licence. Kobayashi declared his unhappiness at the situation, with the team's driver plans changing at short notice and his own future uncertain.