Kamui Kobayashi (Japanese: 小林可夢偉, Hepburn: Kobayashi Kamui, born 13 September 1986) is a Japanese racing driver and motorsport executive, currently competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship for Toyota and in Super Formula for KCMG. Kobayashi competed in Formula One from 2009 to 2014. In endurance racing, Kobayashi has won two FIA World Endurance Championship titles, and won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2021, all with Toyota; he is also a two-time winner of the 24 Hours of Daytona in 2019 and 2020 with WTR. Since 2022, Kobayashi has served as team principal of Toyota in WEC, winning three consecutive World Manufacturers' Championship titles from 2022 to 2024.
Kamui Kobayashi | |
|---|---|
小林可夢偉 | |
 Kobayashi at the 2024 6 Hours of Fuji | |
| Born | 13 September 1986 |
| Employers | |
| Title | Team Principal |
| FIA World Endurance Championship career | |
| Debut season | 2013 |
| Current team | Toyota |
| Racing licence |  FIA Platinum |
| Former teams | AF Corse |
| Starts | 69 |
| Championships | 2 (2019–20, 2021) |
| Wins | 17 |
| Podiums | 46 |
| Poles | 20 |
| Fastest laps | 14 |
| Best finish | 1st in 2019–20 (LMP1), 2021 (LMH) |
| Formula One World Championship career | |
| Nationality |  Japanese |
| Active years | 2009–2012, 2014 |
| Teams | Toyota, BMW Sauber, Sauber, Caterham |
| Car number | 10 |
| Entries | 76 (75 starts) |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 1 |
| Career points | 125 |
| Pole positions | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 1 |
| First entry | 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix |
| Super Formula career | |
| Debut season | 2011 |
| Current team | KCMG |
| Car number | 7 |
| Former teams | Le Mans |
| Starts | 70 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 7 |
| Poles | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 5 |
| Best finish | 6th in 2015, 2019 |
| 24 Hours of Le Mans career | |
| Years | 2013, 2016–2024 |
| Teams | AF Corse, Toyota |
| Best finish | 1st (2021) |
| Class wins | 1 (2021) |
| Previous series | |
| Championship titles | |
He also serves as team principal for Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe for their FIA World Endurance Championship team. Kobayashi previously competed in Formula One, Formula E, the GP2 Series, and the GP2 Asia Series. He became champion of the FIA World Endurance Championship alongside co-drivers Mike Conway and José María López in the 2019–20 season and in 2021, where he also won the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Kobayashi is the third FIA world champion from Japan after Toshi Arai and Kazuki Nakajima, and became the third Asian-born driver after countrymen Aguri Suzuki and Takuma Satō to score a Formula One podium finish at the 2012 Japanese Grand Prix.
Junior single-seater career
editEarly years
editKobayashi was born in Amagasaki in Hyōgo Prefecture, near Kobe. His father owns a sushi restaurant.[1] He began his career in motorsport in 1996 when he was nine years old, finishing third in his first season of karting in the SL Takarazuka Tournament Cadet Class. During the following seven years, Kobayashi took four karting titles, winning the Toyota SL All Japan Tournament Cadet Class series twice.[citation needed]
In 2004, he signed for Toyota's Driver Academy and soon began his career in open wheel racing. His next step was Formula Renault, entering the Asian, German, Italian and Dutch championships and taking two race victories in the Italian championship. Kobayashi continued in the Formula Renault class, entering the Italian and European championships and with six wins in both championships, he won both titles.[citation needed]
In 2006, Kobayashi entered the Formula 3 Euro Series with ASM Formule 3 alongside Paul di Resta, Giedo van der Garde and Sebastian Vettel. He took three podium positions in his debut season, coming eighth in the Drivers' Championship and first in the Rookie's Championship. Kobayashi also entered the Macau Grand Prix and the Masters of Formula 3, which are annual Formula Three events. Kobayashi started in 10th place and finished the race a place lower in 11th, while at the Macau Grand Prix, he started the race in pole position but finished in 19th place.[citation needed]
At the beginning of 2007, Kobayashi, along with Kōhei Hirate, was named as one of the Toyota Formula One team's test drivers. He stayed in the Euro Series for the upcoming season and had an impressive start, taking two podiums in the first four rounds. He achieved his first race victory in Formula 3 at Magny-Cours, in the tenth round, a support race for the Formula One French Grand Prix. Kobayashi finished fourth in the Drivers' Championship.[citation needed]
GP2
edit
Following a successful GP2 Asia Series campaign in early 2008, Kobayashi won his first GP2 Series race in only the second race of the season. After a strong start from pole in the sprint race at the Circuit de Catalunya, Kobayashi took the chequered flag in first place. This was after a controversial piece of defensive driving from his former Euro Series teammate Romain Grosjean after a safety car period. At the end of the pit straight, Kobayashi attempted a pass on Grosjean. However, the Frenchman moved more than once to defend his position, forcing Kobayashi into evasive action. This resulted in a drive through penalty for the Frenchman, handing the win to Kobayashi. However, he only finished in the points on one further occasion, restricting him to sixteenth in the championship.
Another successful GP2 Asia campaign followed over the winter months of 2008 and 2009, with Kobayashi winning two races en route to the championship, with a round to spare. Kobayashi could not repeat his form in the main series, finishing sixteenth again.
Formula One (2007–2012)
editOn November 16, 2007, it was confirmed that Kobayashi would replace the departing Franck Montagny as the Toyota F1 team's third driver.[2] He was the team's test and reserve driver during the 2008 and 2009 seasons.
Toyota (2009)
edit
2009
editAt the 2009 Japanese Grand Prix, Kobayashi competed in the first two free practice sessions in place of Timo Glock, who was ill.[3] Glock recovered in time to take part in the third free practice session and qualifying, but was injured after crashing in the final session and had to miss the race. Toyota asked the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) for permission to run Kobayashi in the race, but this was refused as the regulations state a driver must run in at least one session on Saturday to be eligible to start the race.[4]
Kobayashi made his Formula One debut at the 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix, following a complication to Glock's injury that was initially not detected.[5] He qualified 11th in a chaotic session that lasted for over two and half hours and was red-flagged twice due to accidents caused by torrential rain. Early in the race, while running in sixth place, he held off for several laps a challenge by Jenson Button, who needed to finish well to clinch the world championship. He finished the race in tenth place, and was later promoted to ninth when Heikki Kovalainen was penalised. Button jokingly described Kobayashi as "absolutely crazy, very aggressive".[6] He also competed in the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as Glock's injury had not healed sufficiently.[7] Kobayashi qualified 12th and finished sixth, scoring his first World Championship points, in the inaugural day-night race in Abu Dhabi.[8] Before Toyota decided to withdraw from Formula One, Kobayashi was expected to be given a full-time seat at Toyota for the 2010 Formula One Season.[9]
Sauber (2010–2012)
edit2010
edit.jpg)
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Following Toyota's withdrawal, Kobayashi faced an uncertain future, but he was mentioned in lists of probable drivers for the series' new teams for 2010.[10] After weeks of speculation, 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.[11] His teammate was former McLaren tester Pedro de la Rosa. Kobayashi completed his first laps in the new Sauber C29 chassis during F1 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. In Turkey, he won his first points of the season, coming home tenth after being promoted a place due to Vettel's retirement after a collision with teammate Webber and Petrov's puncture. In Valencia, he finished seventh by passing both Fernando Alonso and Sébastien Buemi in the final laps on fresh tyres, after driving the majority of the race in third position on his first set of tyres. He followed that with sixth place in Silverstone, eleventh in Germany, ninth in Hungary and eighth in Belgium.
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 qualified 14th and finished seventh, passing several drivers along the way including his teammate, in a very impressive fashion. He finished eighth in Korea and tenth in Brazil, eventually finishing the season with 32 points. In his review of the season, former TV commentator Murray Walker stated that Kobayashi is "without a doubt Japan's best [F1 driver] yet".[12] Kobayashi gained a reputation during the season as a highly skilled overtaker, being able to outbrake drivers several car lengths in front of him. His aggressive overtaking style was described by Martin Brundle as, "He gets to the normal braking point and then goes, 'Now, which one is the brake again? That's right, it's on the left,' and he just sails past people!"[13] He qualified well against his more experienced teammates, outqualifying de la Rosa and Heidfeld 11 times to 8 over the season.
2011
edit
Kobayashi remained with Sauber (renamed from BMW Sauber to Sauber F1 Team) in 2011,[14] where he was partnered by GP2 graduate Sergio Pérez. Kobayashi finished eighth in the season opening Australian Grand Prix, but he and Pérez – who had finished seventh – were disqualified after the race due to an irregularity with the car's rear-wing. The next race of the season in Malaysia was another strong showing for Kobayashi, finishing eighth in the race, eventually classified seventh after Lewis Hamilton received a penalty. He finished tenth in his next three races, before a career-high fifth place in an incident-packed Monaco Grand Prix. In an extremely wet Canadian Grand Prix, Kobayashi worked his way up from 13th place to 2nd having not decided to change to extreme wet tyres before the race was red-flagged, as many other drivers had. This essentially gave him a free pit stop while the race was suspended. After the restart, the track began to dry out, and after changing to intermediate tyres and finally slicks, Kobayashi dropped several places, including having a spin whilst lapping a backmarker and being rear-ended by Nick Heidfeld. He eventually finished seventh, 0.045 seconds behind Felipe Massa, who passed him on the final straight.
2012
edit
On 28 July 2011, it was announced that Kobayashi would remain with Sauber into the 2012 season, alongside teammate Pérez.[15]
Kobayashi started the season with sixth place at the Australian Grand Prix,[16] and a retirement at the Malaysian Grand Prix, due to a problem with his car's brakes.[17]
He then started third at the Chinese Grand Prix behind the Mercedes of Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher. He dropped to tenth but managed to set the fastest lap. At the Spanish Grand Prix he finished fifth after overtaking Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg. Kobayashi finished in the points once in the next four races, finishing ninth in Canada. Kobayashi finished in a then-career-best fourth place at the German Grand Prix – having finished fifth on-the-road – as he was helped by a post-race penalty for second-placed Sebastian Vettel.[18] After retiring late in the race at the Hungarian Grand Prix, Kobayashi qualified a career-best second for the Belgian Grand Prix but was caught in a first-corner accident along with four other drivers. Kobayashi was the only one of the five to continue in the race, and finished thirteenth.[19]
Kobayashi took his maiden podium in Formula One with third place at the Japanese Grand Prix, after lasting through race-long pressure from Jenson Button. Kobayashi became the first Japanese driver to finish on a Formula One podium in Japan in 22 years, after Aguri Suzuki in the 1990 Japanese Grand Prix, and was the third Japanese driver to finish on a Formula One podium after Suzuki and Takuma Sato in the 2004 United States Grand Prix.[20]
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.[21] Kobayashi ultimately finished the season in twelfth place in the Drivers' Championship, with 60 points.[22] 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.[23]
WEC debut (2013)
editAF Corse
edit.jpg)
On 11 March 2013 it was confirmed that Kobayashi would drive for AF Corse in the 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship season. He competed in the LMGTE-Pro class in the Ferrari 458 GT for what is expected to be all of the season's eight rounds, including the 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans.[24]
Kobayashi also tested a 2010 Formula One Ferrari in preparation for a promotional event in Moscow, where he crashed in the wet.[25][26]
In the 81st edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2013, Kobayashi and the AF Corse team scored fifth place in the GTE-Pro class along with his co-drivers Olivier Beretta and Toni Vilander, their Ferrari 458 GT covered a total of 312 laps in the Circuit de la Sarthe. The race was run in very difficult weather conditions and several serious accidents bringing out a record of twelve safety car caution periods.[27][28][29]
Return to Formula One (2014)
editCaterham
edit
On 21 January 2014, it was confirmed that Kobayashi would return to Formula One with the Caterham F1 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.[30] At the first race of the season, the Australian Grand Prix, Kobayashi crashed into Massa at the start due to a brake failure. However, in the following Malaysian Grand Prix, he was running as high as eighth, ahead of his teammate, the Marussias, and several other cars. He however finished the race in 13th, promoting Caterham to 10th in the Constructors' standings. However, later in the season Caterham were demoted to 11th due to Jules Bianchi achieving Marussia's first points finish in the Monaco Grand Prix.[31]
On 20 August 2014, it was announced that German driver André Lotterer would replace Kobayashi for the Belgian Grand Prix race weekend.[32] 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.[33] Kobayashi declared his unhappiness at the situation, with the team's driver plans changing at short notice and his own future uncertain.[34]
Super Formula and WEC split
editSuper Formula and Super GT (2015–)
editSuper Formula
editOn 30 January 2015, it was confirmed that Kobayashi would drive for Team LeMans in the 2015 Super Formula season.[35] He scored three podiums on his way to a fifth-place finish in the drivers' championship during his first year in the series. His second year with Team LeMans was less successful, only managing to score one point and finishing 17th in the championship.
Kobayashi moved to KCMG at the start of the 2017 season.[36] Kobayashi stayed in the team for over seven years, where he clinched 4 podiums of second place. But for 2020, and 2021 he did not compete full time as he has clashed race where he prioritize WEC, his replacement were Yuichi Nakayama for 2020, and Kazuto Kotaka for 2021.[37][38]
Super GT
editKobayashi made his one off debut in Super GT GT500 class with Racing Project Bandoh in 2017. Kobayashi made full season debut in 2018, as he raced with Team SARD alongside former F1 driver and the series champion Heiki Kovalainen.[39]
Return to FIA World Endurance Championship (2016–)
editToyota Gazoo Racing
edit
On 4 February 2016, Kobayashi was confirmed as a LMP1 driver for Toyota Gazoo Racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
Kobayashi scored his first WEC race victory at the 2016 6 Hours of Fuji, finishing ahead of the No. 8 Audi and the No. 1 Porsche.[40]
In 2017 he achieved the current lap record at the Circuit de la Sarthe with a lap time of 3:14.791.[41]
Kobayashi won the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans from pole after numerous attempts, alongside Mike Conway and Jose Maria Lopez. Kobayashi is the fourth Japanese driver to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the first being Masanori Sekiya, and is only the second to do so for a Japanese manufacturer.
In December 2021, Toyota announced that Kobayashi would succeed Hisatake Murata as team principal of the manufacturer's WEC programme, combining the management position with his role as a driver for the team.[42]
NASCAR (2023)
edit.jpg)
On 7 June 2023, it was announced that Kobayashi would make his debut in the NASCAR Cup Series driving the No. 67 Toyota Camry for 23XI Racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. At Indy, he finished 33rd.[43]
In 2024, Kobayashi would return to the NASCAR Cup Series and race again for 23XI Racing at Circuit of the Americas for the 2024 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix, he finished 29th.[44]
Personal life
editHe was named after Kamuy, a divine being in Ainu mythology, and the letter of the name imitated the sound citing three Kanji from the sentence "Enabling great dream(s)".[45]
In April 2013, he was awarded the Outstanding Achievement in Sport Award at The Asian Awards in London.[46]
Racing record
editCareer summary
editComplete Formula Renault Italia results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Prema Powerteam | VLL 1 Ret |
VLL 2 10 |
VAR 7 |
MAG 3 |
SPA 1 6 |
SPA 2 9 |
MNZ1 1 18 |
MNZ1 2 10 |
MNZ1 3 6 |
MIS 1 1 |
MIS 2 1 |
MIS 3 13 |
ADR 8 |
HOC 1 4 |
HOC 2 24 |
MNZ2 1 4 |
MNZ2 2 12 |
7th | 134 |
| 2005 | Prema Powerteam | VLL 1 Ret |
VLL 2 1 |
IMO 1 1 |
IMO 2 1 |
SPA 1 3 |
SPA 2 2 |
MNZ1 1 1 |
MNZ1 2 3 |
MNZ1 3 1 |
MUG 1 |
MUG 2 |
MIS 1 6 |
MIS 2 2 |
MIS 3 5 |
VAR 4 |
MNZ2 1 1 |
MNZ2 2 2 |
1st | 254 |
Complete Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Prema Powerteam | ZOL 1 Ret |
ZOL 2 14 |
VAL 1 2 |
VAL 2 4 |
LMS 1 1 |
LMS 2 5 |
BIL 1 5 |
BIL 2 Ret |
OSC 1 1 |
OSC 2 4 |
DON 1 1 |
DON 2 1 |
EST 1 1 |
EST 2 4 |
MNZ 1 1 |
MNZ 2 3 |
1st | 157 |
Complete Formula 3 Euro Series record
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | Pos | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | ASM Formule 3 | Dallara F305/012 | Mercedes | HOC 1 6 |
HOC 2 5 |
LAU 1 11 |
LAU 2 10 |
OSC 1 11 |
OSC 2 7 |
BRH 1 6 |
BRH 2 3 |
NOR 1 5 |
NOR 2 2 |
NÜR 1 8 |
NÜR 2 3 |
ZAN 1 5 |
ZAN 2 Ret |
CAT 1 5 |
CAT 2 Ret |
BUG 1 DNS |
BUG 2 14 |
HOC 1 Ret |
HOC 2 9 |
8th | 34 |
| 2007 | ASM Formule 3 | Dallara F305/012 | Mercedes | HOC 1 10 |
HOC 2 10 |
BRH 1 3 |
BRH 2 3 |
NOR 1 8 |
NOR 2 Ret |
MAG 1 1 |
MAG 2 9 |
MUG 1 2 |
MUG 2 4 |
ZAN 1 2 |
ZAN 2 17 |
NÜR 1 11 |
NÜR 2 Ret |
CAT 1 19 |
CAT 2 Ret |
NOG 1 2 |
NOG 2 2 |
HOC 1 4 |
HOC 2 Ret |
4th | 59 |
Complete Macau Grand Prix results
edit| Year | Team | Car | Qualifying | Quali Race | Main race |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 |  ASM Formule 3
|
Dallara F305 | 1st | 1st | 19th |
| 2007 | ASM Formule 3
|
Dallara F305 | 7th | DNF | 13th |
Complete GP2 Series results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | DAMS | CAT FEA 8 |
CAT SPR 1 |
IST FEA Ret |
IST SPR 9 |
MON FEA Ret |
MON SPR Ret |
MAG FEA Ret |
MAG SPR 9 |
SIL FEA Ret |
SIL SPR 7 |
HOC FEA Ret |
HOC SPR 18 |
HUN FEA 11 |
HUN SPR 8 |
VAL FEA Ret |
VAL SPR 6 |
SPA FEA 9 |
SPA SPR 14 |
MNZ FEA Ret |
MNZ SPR 13 |
16th | 10 |
| 2009 | DAMS | CAT FEA 8 |
CAT SPR 5 |
MON FEA Ret |
MON SPR 12 |
IST FEA Ret |
IST SPR NC |
SIL FEA Ret |
SIL SPR 17 |
NÜR FEA 9 |
NÜR SPR 3 |
HUN FEA 13 |
HUN SPR 8 |
VAL FEA 8 |
VAL SPR 11 |
SPA FEA 7 |
SPA SPR 11 |
MNZ FEA 17 |
MNZ SPR 17† |
ALG FEA 6 |
ALG SPR 19 |
16th | 13 |
Complete GP2 Asia Series results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | DAMS | DUB1 FEA 13 |
DUB1 SPR Ret |
SEN FEA DNS |
SEN SPR 15 |
SEP FEA 5 |
SEP SPR 1 |
BHR FEA 3 |
BHR SPR 1 |
DUB2 FEA 20 |
DUB2 SPR 14 |
6th | 22 | ||
| 2008–09 | DAMS | SHI FEA 2 |
SHI SPR Ret |
DUB FEA 1 |
DUB SPR C |
BHR1 FEA 1 |
BHR1 SPR 6 |
LSL FEA 4 |
LSL SPR 18 |
SEP FEA 2 |
SEP SPR 7 |
BHR2 FEA 4 |
BHR2 SPR 5 |
1st | 56 |
Complete Formula One results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | WDC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Panasonic Toyota Racing | Toyota TF109 | Toyota RVX-09 2.4 V8 | AUS | MAL | CHN | BHR | ESP | MON | TUR | GBR | GER | HUN | EUR | BEL | ITA | SIN | JPN PO |
BRA 9 |
ABU 6 |
18th | 3 | |||
| 2010 | BMW Sauber F1 Team | Sauber C29 | Ferrari 056 2.4 V8 | BHR Ret |
AUS Ret |
MAL Ret |
CHN Ret |
ESP 12 |
MON Ret |
TUR 10 |
CAN Ret |
EUR 7 |
GBR 6 |
GER 11 |
HUN 9 |
BEL 8 |
ITA Ret |
SIN Ret |
JPN 7 |
KOR 8 |
BRA 10 |
ABU 14 |
12th | 32 | |
| 2011 | Sauber F1 Team | Sauber C30 | Ferrari 056 2.4 V8 | AUS DSQ |
MAL 7 |
CHN 10 |
TUR 10 |
ESP 10 |
MON 5 |
CAN 7 |
EUR 16 |
GBR Ret |
GER 9 |
HUN 11 |
BEL 12 |
ITA Ret |
SIN 14 |
JPN 13 |
KOR 15 |
IND Ret |
ABU 10 |
BRA 9 |
12th | 30 | |
| 2012 | Sauber F1 Team | Sauber C31 | Ferrari 056 2.4 V8 | AUS 6 |
MAL Ret |
CHN 10 |
BHR 13 |
ESP 5 |
MON Ret |
CAN 9 |
EUR Ret |
GBR 11 |
GER 4 |
HUN 18† |
BEL 13 |
ITA 9 |
SIN 13 |
JPN 3 |
KOR Ret |
IND 14 |
ABU 6 |
USA 14 |
BRA 9 |
12th | 60 |
| 2014 | Caterham F1 Team | Caterham CT05 | Renault Energy F1‑2014 1.6 V6 t | AUS Ret |
MAL 13 |
BHR 15 |
CHN 18 |
ESP Ret |
MON 13 |
CAN Ret |
AUT 16 |
GBR 15 |
GER 16 |
HUN Ret |
BEL | ITA 17 |
SIN DNS |
JPN 19 |
RUS Ret |
USA | BRA | ABU Ret |
22nd | 0 |
† Did not finish the race, but was classified as he completed over 90% of the race distance.
Complete FIA World Endurance Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
Complete 24 Hours of Le Mans results
edit| Year | Team | Co-Drivers | Car | Class | Laps | Pos. | Class Pos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 |  AF Corse
|
 Toni Vilander Olivier Beretta
|
Ferrari 458 Italia GT | GTE Pro |
312 | 20th | 5th |
| 2016 | Toyota Gazoo Racing
|
 Mike Conway Stéphane Sarrazin
|
Toyota TS050 Hybrid | LMP1 | 381 | 2nd | 2nd |
| 2017 | Toyota Gazoo Racing
|
Mike Conway Stéphane Sarrazin
|
Toyota TS050 Hybrid | LMP1 | 154 | DNF | DNF |
| 2018 | Toyota Gazoo Racing
|
Mike Conway José María López
|
Toyota TS050 Hybrid | LMP1 | 386 | 2nd | 2nd |
| 2019 | Toyota Gazoo Racing
|
Mike Conway José María López
|
Toyota TS050 Hybrid | LMP1 | 385 | 2nd | 2nd |
| 2020 | Toyota Gazoo Racing
|
Mike Conway José María López
|
Toyota TS050 Hybrid | LMP1 | 381 | 3rd | 3rd |
| 2021 | Toyota Gazoo Racing
|
Mike Conway José María López
|
Toyota GR010 Hybrid | Hypercar | 371 | 1st | 1st |
| 2022 | Toyota Gazoo Racing
|
Mike Conway José María López
|
Toyota GR010 Hybrid | Hypercar | 380 | 2nd | 2nd |
| 2023 | Toyota Gazoo Racing
|
Mike Conway José María López
|
Toyota GR010 Hybrid | Hypercar | 103 | DNF | DNF |
| 2024 | Toyota Gazoo Racing
|
José María López Nyck de Vries
|
Toyota GR010 Hybrid | Hypercar | 311 | 2nd | 2nd |
Complete Super Formula results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Kygnus Sunoco Team LeMans | SUZ 9 |
OKA 2 |
FUJ 10 |
MOT 17 |
AUT 3 |
SUG 6 |
SUZ 3 |
SUZ 9 |
6th | 20 | ||
| 2016 | Sunoco Team LeMans | SUZ 16 |
OKA 18 |
FUJ 10 |
MOT 9 |
OKA 18 |
OKA 17 |
SUG 17 |
SUZ 9 |
SUZ 7 |
17th | 1 | |
| 2017 | KCMG | SUZ 9 |
OKA 4 |
OKA 5 |
FUJ 15 |
MOT 2 |
AUT 7 |
SUG 7 |
SUZ C |
SUZ C |
7th | 16.5 | |
| 2018 | carrozzeria Team KCMG | SUZ 10 |
AUT C |
SUG 6 |
FUJ 12 |
MOT | OKA 2‡ |
SUZ 13 |
10th | 11 | |||
| 2019 | SUZ 9 |
AUT 10 |
SUG 2 |
FUJ 6 |
MOT 2 |
OKA 18 |
SUZ 12 |
6th | 19 | ||||
| 2020 | MOT 14 |
OKA | SUG 14 |
AUT | SUZ 4 |
SUZ 15 |
FUJ 11 |
16th | 8 | ||||
| 2021 | FUJ | SUZ | AUT | SUG | MOT | MOT 10 |
SUZ | 20th | 1 | ||||
| 2022 | KCMG | FUJ 18 |
FUJ 9 |
SUZ 5 |
AUT Ret |
SUG 17 |
FUJ 14 |
MOT 14 |
MOT 17 |
SUZ 18 |
SUZ 10 |
17th | 9 |
| 2023 | Kids com Team KCMG | FUJ Ret |
FUJ 6 |
SUZ 14 |
AUT 11 |
SUG 6 |
FUJ 9 |
MOT 7 |
SUZ 8‡ |
SUZ 17 |
11th | 17.5 | |
| 2024 | SUZ 19† |
AUT 10 |
SUG 10‡ |
FUJ 8 |
MOT 12 |
FUJ 3 |
FUJ 5 |
SUZ 14 |
SUZ 10 |
10th | 22.5 |
‡ Half points awarded as less than 75% of race distance was completed.
† Did not finish the race, but was classified as he completed over 90% of the race distance.
Complete Super GT results
edit| Year | Team | Car | Class | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | DC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Lexus Team WedsSport Bandoh | Lexus LC 500 | GT500 | OKA | FUJ | AUT | SUG | FUJ | SUZ 4 |
CHA | MOT | 17th | 10 |
| 2018 | Lexus Team SARD | Lexus LC 500 | GT500 | OKA 12 |
FUJ | SUZ Ret |
CHA 1 |
FUJ 11 |
SUG 10 |
AUT 8 |
MOT 8 |
13th | 27 |
Complete Formula E results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | Chassis | Powertrain | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Pos | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–18 | MS&AD Andretti Formula E | Spark SRT01-e | Andretti ATEC-03 | HKG 15 |
HKG 17 |
MRK | SCL | MEX | PDE | RME | PAR | BER | ZUR | NYC | NYC | 24th | 0 |
Complete IMSA SportsCar Championship results
edit(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)
| Year | Team | No. | Class | Make | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Rank | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Konica Minolta Cadillac | 10 | DPi | Cadillac DPi-V.R | Cadillac 5.5 L V8 | DAY 1 |
SEB | LBH | MDO | DET | WGL | MOS | ELK | LGA | PET | 27th | 35 | ||
| 2020 | Konica Minolta Cadillac | 10 | DPi | Cadillac DPi-V.R | Cadillac 5.5 L V8 | DAY 1 |
DAY | SEB | ELK | ATL | MDO | PET | LGA | SEB | 23rd | 35 | |||
| 2021 | Ally Cadillac Racing | 48 | DPi | Cadillac DPi-V.R | Cadillac 5.5 L V8 | DAY 2 |
SEB 7 |
MDO | DET | WGL 5 |
WGL | ELK | LGA | LBH | PET 4 |
12th | 1203 | ||
| 2022 | Ally Cadillac | 48 | DPi | Cadillac DPi-V.R | Cadillac 5.5 L V8 | DAY 5 |
SEB 6 |
LBH | LGA | MDO | DET | WGL 6 |
PET 3 |
11th | 1146 | ||||
| VasserSullivan | 14 | GTD Pro | Lexus RC F GT3 | Toyota 2UR 5.0 L V8 | MOS 6 |
LIM | ELK | VIR | 28th | 276 |
24 Hours of Daytona results
edit| Year | Team | Co-Drivers | Car | Class | Laps | Pos. | Class Pos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 |  Konica Minolta Cadillac
|
Renger van der Zande Jordan Taylor Fernando Alonso
|
Cadillac DPi-V.R | DPi | 593 | 1st | 1st |
| 2020 | Konica Minolta Cadillac
|
Renger van der Zande Ryan Briscoe Scott Dixon
|
Cadillac DPi-V.R | DPi | 833 | 1st | 1st |
| 2021 | Ally Cadillac Racing
|
Jimmie Johnson Simon Pagenaud Mike Rockenfeller
|
Cadillac DPi-V.R | DPi | 807 | 2nd | 2nd |
| 2022 | Ally Cadillac Racing
|
Jimmie Johnson José María López Mike Rockenfeller
|
Cadillac DPi-V.R | DPi | 739 | 11th | 5th |
NASCAR
edit(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
Cup Series
edit| NASCAR Cup Series results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | NCSC | Pts | Ref |
| 2023 | 23XI Racing | 67 | Toyota | DAY | CAL | LVS | PHO | ATL | COA | RCH | BRD | MAR | TAL | DOV | KAN | DAR | CLT | GTW | SON | NSH | CSC | ATL | NHA | POC | RCH | MCH | IRC 33 |
GLN | DAY | DAR | KAN | BRI | TEX | TAL | ROV | LVS | HOM | MAR | PHO | 63rd | 01 | [48] |
| 2024 | 50 | DAY | ATL | LVS | PHO | BRI | COA 29 |
RCH | MAR | TEX | TAL | DOV | KAN | DAR | CLT | GTW | SON | IOW | NHA | NSH | CSC | POC | IND | RCH | MCH | DAY | DAR | ATL | GLN | BRI | KAN | TAL | ROV | LVS | HOM | MAR | PHO | 41st | 8 | [49] | ||
References
edit- ^ "Sauber confirm Kobayashi". Al-Jazeera. Aljazeera IT. 17 December 2009. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
- ^ "Toyota confirm Kobayashi as third driver". autosport.com. 16 November 2007. Retrieved 16 November 2007.
- ^ Strang, Simon (2 October 2009). "Kobayashi subs for Glock in practice". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 2 October 2009.
- ^ Strang, Simon (4 October 2009). "Injured Glock out of Japanese GP". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 15 October 2009.
- ^ "Timo Glock to miss Brazilian Grand Prix". Toyota Racing. Toyota. 11 October 2009. Archived from the original on 13 March 2012. Retrieved 9 October 2010.
- ^ Whyatt, Chris (18 October 2009). "Brilliant Button clinches title". BBC Sport website. BBC. Retrieved 18 October 2009.
- ^ Elizalde, Pablo (27 October 2009). "Glock to miss final race of the season". autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 27 October 2009.
- ^ "Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying results". BBC News. 31 October 2009. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
- ^ "Kobayashi set for full-time seat". BBC News. 1 November 2009. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
- ^ "F1 gossip column". BBC News. 2 December 2009. Retrieved 7 May 2010.
- ^ "Sauber F1 team recruit Japan's Kamui Kobayashi". BBC Sport. BBC. 16 December 2009. Retrieved 16 December 2009.
- ^ Walker, Murray (25 November 2010). "My F1 2010 season review". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 25 November 2010.
- ^ "2010 Races". brundlequotes.com. Martin Brundle's Racing Lines. Archived from the original on 31 July 2011. Retrieved 28 February 2011.
- ^ "Kamui Kobayashi to remain with Formula 1 team Sauber". BBC Sport. BBC. 7 September 2010. Retrieved 7 September 2010.
- ^ "Kobayashi and Perez to stay at Sauber in 2012". formula1.com. Formula One Administration. 28 July 2011. Archived from the original on 16 October 2011. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
- ^ "Australian GP: Race". Sauber F1 Team. Sauber F1. 18 March 2012. Archived from the original on 16 December 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
- ^ "Malaysian GP: Race". Sauber F1 Team. Sauber F1. 25 March 2012. Retrieved 9 April 2012.
- ^ "Sauber satisfied with double score". Crash.net. Crash Media Group. 22 July 2012. Archived from the original on 30 July 2012. Retrieved 22 July 2012.
- ^ "Button wins after first-corner carnage at Spa". Formula1.com. Formula One Administration. 2 September 2012. Retrieved 4 September 2012.
- ^ Noble, Jonathan; Beer, Matt (7 October 2012). "Kamui Kobayashi celebrates 'amazing' podium". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 7 October 2012.
Kobayashi's result equalled the best ever finish for Japanese drivers in Formula 1 – achieved by Aguri Suzuki at Suzuka in 1990 and Takuma Sato at Indianapolis in 2004.
- ^ Benson, Andrew (23 November 2012). "Mexican Esteban Gutierrez signs on at Sauber". BBC Sport. BBC. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
- ^ "Brazilian GP: Race". Sauber F1 Team. Sauber F1. 25 November 2012. Archived from the original on 4 January 2013. Retrieved 1 December 2012.
- ^ Noble, Jonathan (17 December 2012). "Kamui Kobayashi gives up on F1 drive for 2013 season". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
- ^ Watkins, Gary (11 March 2013). "Kobayashi joins Ferrari line-up". Autosport. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 11 March 2013.
- ^ "Kamui Kobayashi gets first Ferrari F1 test in 2010 car at Fiorano". Autosport. 27 May 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
- ^ Circuito de Fiorano
- ^ "Statistiques 24ème Heure / 24th Hour Statistics" (PDF). Automobile Club de l'Ouest. 23 June 2013. Archived from the original (PDF) on 22 October 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
- ^ "Race – Final Classification" (PDF). Automobile Club de l'Ouest. 23 June 2013. Retrieved 23 June 2013.
- ^ "Le Mans 24 Hours: Kristensen, McNish, Duval clinch Audi victory". Autosport. 23 June 2013. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
- ^ Beer, Matt (21 January 2014). "Caterham signs Kobayashi, Ericsson for 2014 Formula 1 season". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
- ^ "Ninth place for Jules Bianchi in Monaco saw Marussia score their first F1 points | Sky Sports". www1.skysports.com. Retrieved 28 May 2014.
- ^ "Belgian GP: Andre Lotterer in for Kamui Kobayashi at Caterham". BBC News. 20 August 2014. Retrieved 20 August 2014.
- ^ "Caterham confirms Kobayashi's Monza F1 return and Merhi's FP1 run". autosport.com. Haymarket Publishing. 4 September 2014. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
- ^ Anderson, Ben (4 September 2014). "Italian GP: Kamui Kobayashi unhappy with Caterham F1 situation". autosport.com. Haymarket Publishing. Retrieved 5 September 2014.
- ^ "Toyota Outlines 2015 Motorsports Activities, Announces Return to World Rally Championship". Toyota Global Newsroom Publishing. 30 January 2015. Retrieved 2 February 2015.
- ^ "Kamui Kobayashi joins KCMG for 2017 Super Formula campaign". www.kcmg.com.hk. Retrieved 22 July 2017.
- ^ Wood, Elliot (23 September 2020). "Yuichi Nakayama replaces quarantined Kobayashi in Super Formula". Formula Scout. Retrieved 23 September 2020.
- ^ "Kamui Kobayashi among absentees for Super Formula opener". www.motorsport.com. 30 March 2021. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
- ^ "Toyota Gazoo Racing Announces Super GT Programmes For 2018". dailysportscar.com. 8 February 2018. Retrieved 8 February 2018.
- ^ Watkins, Gary (16 October 2016). "Toyota wins home Fuji WEC race with Kobayashi, Conway and Sarrazin". autosport.com. Haymarket Publishing. Retrieved 16 October 2016.
- ^ "3:14.791! #7 Toyota Gazoo Racing Kamui Kobayashi just did the best time ever around Le Mans24". youtube.com. 15 June 2017. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
- ^ Watkins, Gary (6 December 2021). "Kobayashi to have fully operational role as Toyota WEC squad team principal". autosport.com. Retrieved 19 March 2022.
- ^ "Kamui Kobayashi making Cup debut at Indianapolis with 23XI Racing". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media. 7 June 2023. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- ^ Vertuno, Jim (23 March 2024). "NASCAR brings out the ringers as Cup Series stages first road course race of the season at COTA". Associated Press. Austin. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 26 March 2024. Retrieved 26 March 2024.
- ^ ちぃ (14 October 2009). "小林可夢偉選手ってどんな人?". トヨタモータースポーツ インサイドブログ. Retrieved 4 October 2010.
- ^ Winners at the Asian Awards
- ^ Euwema, Davey (3 April 2024). "Kobayashi to Race Supra GT4 Evo in NLS Opener – Sportscar365". sportscar365.com.
- ^ "Kamui Kobayashi – 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
- ^ "Kamui Kobayashi – 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved 24 March 2024.
External links
edit
- (in Japanese and English) Kamui Kobayashi official website
- Kamui Kobayashi at IMDb