After an explosive entrance into F1 at the end of the 2009 season, Kamui Kobayashi was hoping to he had done enough to secure a full time race seat at Toyota. However, when the manufacturer announced its withdrawal from the sport with immediate effect, the son of a sushi chef was facing a future back in the kitchen with his father.

Kobayashi's motorsport career began in karting, aged nine, he went on to win four titles in seven years. In 2004, he signed up to Toyota's Driver Academy, and made the move into Formula Renault, travelling around the world, the following year he took both the Italian and European titles with six race victories in each.

In 2006 he graduated into the Formula 3 Euroseries, finishing the season sixth behind team-mates Paul di Resta and Sebastian Vettel, champion and runner-up respectively. The following year a single race victory was enough to take fourth place, with team-mate Sebastien Grosjean taking the title with six wins. At the end of the 2007 season, Kobayashi was confirmed as test driver for Toyota F1, replacing Franck Montagny.

Alongside his F1 testing duties, he joined the GP2 Asia Series, and with two race wins he took sixth place overall. He then moved to the main series, and despite an impressive start to the 2008 season, finishing fifth and first in his debut weekend in Barcelona, he could only manage 16th place in the standings. He took the GP2 Asia Series title the following winter, beating team-mate Jerome d'Ambrosio to the top spot. However, disappointing results in the 2009 main series saw him finish 16th once more.

Kobayashi's first steps into the F1 paddock were in the ideal location - in front of his home crowd in Suzuka, substituting for the unwell Timo Glock in Friday practice. However, Glock recovered in time for Saturday's qualifying, but was injured after crashing in the final qualifying session. The FIA refused to give Toyota permission for Kobayashi to compete in his debut race, as rules state a driver must complete qualifying to be eligible.

However, with Glock suffering from fractured vertebrae, Kobayashi was given his chance just two weeks later, making his debut at the Brazilian Grand Prix. He finished the race in tenth, just outside the points. At the final race of the season he picked up his first F1 points with sixth place after qualifying 12th. If he can secure a drive, 2010 will be a crucial season for Kobayashi to prove he has what it takes.

Strengths and Weaknesses
Clearly unfazed by his rivals, Kobayashi is ambitious and aggressive and showed in Brazil he is not willing to give up his position, even for the world champion. However, after just two races he has already acquired a reputation as a dangerous driver, with Jenson Button labelling him as "absolutely crazy".

Career High
Scoring his first F1 points in his second race in Abu Dhabi. Brought in to replace the injured Glock for the final two races of the season, most people expected Kobayashi to be little more than a stopgap. However, after qualifying in 12th at Yas Marina Circuit, he went on to finish sixth to stake his claim for a drive in 2010.

Career Low
After an impressive debut in F1, Kobayashi's hopes of a seat with Toyota were dashed when the Japanese manufacturer withdrew from the sport.

Quotes
"I have to say, being a Formula One driver is not what I expected when I was a small boy because it is about more than just driving and working on the car; there are so many other tasks that I need to do. It's obvious to me now but when I was a young boy I just assumed racing drivers spent their days only racing cars!"

"[Before they came into Formula 1, Kobayashi] was kind of OK, wasn't he, nothing special, but Grosjean looked a star. But you know, this is all about pressure: who can deliver under the spotlight - not just the spotlights that are here at this racetrack. Some people grow - they use the spotlight as energy; others wilt and melt under it." Martin Brundle

Trivia
As a child, Kobayashi wanted to be a stand-up comedian and joined his school comedy club before turning to racing.

Jo Carter November 2009