- Sauber
Kamui Kobayashi signs with Sauber
ESPNF1 Staff
December 17, 2009
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Kamui Kobayashi got the drive on the back of his performances with Toyota last season © Sutton Images
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Kamui Kobayashi has signed a deal to race with Sauber next year.
He made his Formula One debut with Toyota at the final two races of 2009, deputising for the injured Timo Glock, and impressed onlookers when he scored three points at the season finale in Abu Dhabi. His performance appeared to have secured him a drive at Toyota for 2010, but when the Japanese manufacturer announced it was pulling out of F1 in early November, Kobayashi had to look elsewhere.
"Ever since the start of my career I have dreamed of racing in Formula One, now this dream has come true," Kobayashi said. "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 One."
The FIA recently announced Sauber would fill Toyota's space on the grid in 2010 and Kobayashi is the first driver boss Peter Sauber has confirmed.
"I'm very much looking forward to working together with Kamui," Sauber said. "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."
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