At Suzuka on the weekend, Kamui Kobayashi was given a hero’s welcome for his home Grand Prix.
He paid his fans back by starting fourth and improving on that position during the race to take his first podium in Formula 1. He is only the third Japanese driver to achieve this feat, Aguri Suzuki and Takuma Sato reaching these heights in 1990 and 2004 respectively. Not a common occurrence by any means.
The affable Kobayashi has been popular from the off in F1. At Interlagos in 2009, Jenson Button was driving like a man possessed, trying to make up for a poor qualifying and clinch the World Championship. He swept past most drivers like they weren’t even there, but Kobayashi – making his debut for Toyota in place of the injured Timo Glock – gave him trouble.
The following year with Sauber he cemented his reputation as a vicious attacking driver, but also a clean one. His willingness to put it on the kerbs was great fun and his surprise attacks caught out many a veteran, elevating him to cult hero status.
Since then, Kobayashi has been seen to be overshadowed by team-mate Sergio Pérez, recently rewarded with a McLaren contract for next year. Several strong qualifying performances and that home podium have brought him back into the limelight, though, and have some questioning whether McLaren chose the right Sauber driver.
This kneejerk reaction might be a bit much. McLaren have got themselves a potential world class young driver in Pérez, and one with a similar style to incumbent Button.
But now the news has come out that Kobayashi might not be in F1 at all next year, let alone with Sauber. The issue of sponsorship has raised its ugly head again. Generally if a driver is booted out of F1 for lack of money, no matter his talent, it’s because he hasn’t produced the results. The same week Kobayashi confirms what we all suspected – that he could run well at the front – he’s in press conferences bemoaning his uncertain future.
It’s sad that the world of F1 works that way these days. When Niki Lauda had his issues with funding in the early ‘70s it was his work ethic in the uncompetitive BRM that landed him a Ferrari contract for ‘74. That and some kind words from an impressed and similarly Maranello-bound team-mate Clay Regazzoni. He left four seasons later the most successful driver in the team’s history.
That’s not to say Kobayashi is Lauda material. But he entered the top level as part of a manufacturer’s effort which was withdrawn two races into his career. He joined Sauber on merit and could relax as his team-mate brought in the Pesos. That funding will remain as long as reserve driver (and future team-mate?) Esteban Gutiérrez does, so why is the pressure being piled on now?
Whatever happens, Kobayashi is fast, fierce and adored by his home fans. If you think F1 could use a driver like him, get it out there on Twitter. We’ve been tweeting #giveaquidforkobayashi. Whether or not it makes a direct difference is moot, but at least it gets the idea out there. Who knows who might be watching?
I’d happily pay £20 to see Kamui keep his seat. I’m surprised Ferrari aren’t interested in him. He seems born for the Tifosi.
I’m with Mr. Cogman, completely.
Kobayashi is a bright light on the grid, and seems a very grounded person as well.
Ferrari would benefit from him, for sure.
Sauber must want to keep him, he’s a sponsors dream. Kamui gets a lot of camera time during a race too. He tigers it, usually to the best position possible.
Japan’s economic miracle is faded, but surely some major backing for him is available there. The hoarding around Suzuka may illuminate a candidate.
NEC maybe could increase their stake, or show willingness to share funding with another major Japanese firm. I believe cultural etiquette would ask that.
Perez, is promising, but Sr. Sim’s wallet is incredibly attractive too.
If we lose Kamui from the scene, it’s another symptom….!
Been a big fan of Kamui Kobayashi eversince that fight with Button. This season both Sauber drivers look very good. It would be a real shame if he was to leave F1 because lack of funding. It would also lower my respect for Sauber. If they want to be a serious F1 team, they oughta keep him.
It’s a shame that sponsorship is getting in the way of this exciting driver’s opportunity to race. As you noted, he’s a charger, but he’s clean. I’ve been a fan of Koby’s since I became aware of him in that Brazillian GP you noted. Ever since, I’ve enjoyed his style whenever the directors deign to show him.
“have some questioning whether McLaren chose the right Sauber driver.”
Maybe McLaren’s loss can be Ferrari’s gain. If Massa must go next year, I can think of no one better to hold the seat until Vettel arrives than Koby (though in a way, that might not be the greatest thing for Koby, a one-year deal; then again…).
It’s not just his home fans that love Kobayashi, he has many fans across the globe, and I’m definitely one of them.
Jeremy, just read your comment. For sure, he is popular with many of my Tifosi friends, no question.
I hope Montezemolo finds a way to keep Koby in F1; Massa was at Sauber for a few years while waiting for his seat at Ferrari (where he did incredibly well until injury).
Kobayashi should remain in F1. He adds much value to a faded and tarnished product.
I was very happy for Kobayashi at Suzuka. It’s nice to see him turning his season for the better and I hope he is retained by Sauber next season. He proves you can be an aggressive but clean racer. If Sauber can’t keep him there is a chair at Lotus he could make good use of!
Perhaps if one of the Force India guys gets the Ferrari nod he could be there but why on earth would sauber be thinking of dropping him? Surely the money for the points he will bring will be more than someone short on talent but deep pockets
Surely…
I like Kobayashi, if he does get dropped by Sauber I hope Ferrari snaps him up. Luca don’t you remember what the Old Man use to believe? “We can build the driver like we build our cars” this guy has speed give him that year!
As the oldest team in F1 make that move and bring back that flair I miss in F1 . Maybe in a year you might think differently about Vettel. Personally I don’t think Vettel will move. Red Bull has a ton of money to pay him and they have a good car, why leave and join a team to be compared to Schumacher achievements for the rest of your career?
OK, maybe I’m reviewing my offer…
Money walks and BS talks. Look at Sutil who has the Medion
sponsorship with him. Dumped by Force India and no likely to return to F1. Kamui is an error prone driver. Fearless? Yes! But in need to get his head together and be able to drive without the stunts like the one in Korea.
Joe, I’d say the guy moving from the Woking squad to Mercedes is at least as error-prone (and that’s being kind) as Koby. And yet, he skates past all his transgressions because he’s a good marketing gimmick for BCE/CVC…
“…because he’s a good marketing gimmick for BCE/CVC”
Now why would you think that, Rich? A ‘gimmick’ with a WDC? (Macca’s only silverware in over a decade of being a ‘top team’) A ‘gimmick’ that showed Alonso up in his rookie year? A ‘gimmick’ who dragged a broken Macca round to finish in the points last weekend?