Kamui Kobayashi

Test in Barcelona

admin — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:06:06 +0000

Barcelona, 28^th February 2010 – On the final day of pre-season testing Kamui Kobayashi was again on duty for the BMW Sauber F1 Team. A gear box problem cost about two hours of track time before lunch. In the afternoon the team tried to catch up with the programme, but had to contend with an early stop to its running. Nevertheless, Technical Director, Willy Rampf, has drawn a positive conclusion after a total of 16 test days.

Weather Dry track, partly overcast, air 15 - 18 °C, track 15 – 25 °C
Circuit length 4.655 km
Driver Kamui Kobayashi (JP)
Chassis / engine BMW Sauber C29-01 / Ferrari

Kilometres today 311.885 km (67 laps)
Fastest lap 1:20.911 min
Kamui Kobayashi “We didn’t manage to achieve the expected mileage today because of technical issues. However, for me it was still a good day because we ran through several procedures for the first race weekend. As I said yesterday, these things are very important for me and I can see I’m improving. I feel ready for Bahrain.”
Willy Rampf (Technical Director) “After the car ran smoothly during the earlier tests, unfortunately our final day of testing was hampered by reliability problems. In the morning it was a shifting problem, which needs to be analysed, and at the end it was a problem in the fuel system. Certainly both can be solved before Bahrain. In Barcelona we have been testing new aero parts, which confirmed the performance we expected after the wind tunnel tests. We also concentrated further on getting the best out of the mechanical set-ups. We have defined the Bahrain package now and feel ready for the season to kick off. The team has four very busy weeks behind it and we are very much looking forward to finally going racing. We are happy with the overall performance of the car, considering the conditions under which the lap times were achieved.”
The next time the team will be out on track will be for the first race weekend in Bahrain (12th to 14th March).

More info: http://bmw-sauber-f1-team.ch/NewsDetail-20?newsid=185

Japan’s Kobayashi has achieved the fastest time on the second day of testing at Jerez

admin — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 18:52:24 +0000

A day in which Japanese Kamui Kobayashi (BMW Sauber) recorded the fastest time (1:19.950).

Japan has marked the pilot ”in extremis” the fastest lap of the session in Jerez, outperforming the Toro Rosso of Sebastien Buemi (1:20.026) and McLaren’s Jenson Button (1:20.618), second and third respectively in a day when the weather went along, keeping the track dry and allowing work to the best teams.

Kobayashi will wear the race number 26

admin — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:05:04 +0000

Sauber in the 2010 season will take the higher ridges of the grid in Formula 1, 26 and 27, after the FIA decide to reject the claim of the team in relation to the numbers that correspond to BMW Sauber have continued in competition.

The Hinwil based team lost its dorsal to not appear at first provisional list of the FIA last November and must comply with 26, to wear the Japanese Kamui Kobayashi, and 27 (which corresponds to Pedro de la Rosa) .

De la Rosa happy to work with Kobayashi

admin — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 10:51:03 +0000

“I think my experience is a huge advantage. You do not gain experience in a few months or a year. Over the years experience is gained and what I can bring to the club,” said De la Rosa, who will compete officially after a long time in the team McLaren.

“I want to help my teammate Kamui (Kobayashi) because it is fast, young and inexperienced. We must be a very strong pair to exploit the great potential of the team and I think I can help do that,” says de la Rosa, who will be a great support to young Japanese.

Sauber has signed Kobayashi’s partner: Pedro de la rosa

admin — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:00:40 +0000

“Pedro has spent many years working at the highest level for a team”

”We have much to gain by your experience”

“The combination of an experienced pilot with a promising young often give very good results”

“Pedro De la Rosa has worked in recent years for one of the best teams of the highest technical level”

Commented team boss, Peter Sauber.

Sauber F1 team recruit Kamui Kobayashi

admin — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 23:08:14 +0000

Sauber has announced the hiring of Japanese as a race driver Kamui Kobayashi in the FIA Formula 1 World 2010.

“Ever since the start of my career I have dreamed of racing in Formula 1,” said Kobayashi.

Kobayashi is the first driver to join the team, which is back in the ownership of founder Peter Sauber after BMW withdrew from F1 at the end of the 2009 season.

Kamui Kobayashi linked to Renault in 2010

admin — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 17:20:09 +0000

Having seen a likely seat with Toyota dashed by the Japanese manufacturer’s withdrawal, and having been linked with F1 2010 newcomer Lotus, it now seems Kamui Kobayashi is entertaining the possibility of a top flight future with Renault…

“For next year, I think my manager has been talking to other teams,” he confessed, speaking to GP Update, “but to be honest, I want to take a break now. I will go back to Europe in December to speak about the upcoming season – so for now, I don’t know what will happen next year.”

Kamui Kobayashi has offers for 2010

admin — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:52:36 +0000

The pilot Kamui Kobayashi of Toyota saw his future of 2010 was in danger in spite of having surprised all with his driving in only two big disputed GP. Toyota’s exit of the F1 was removing him from the competition, but Lotus is interested in him.

“Obviously, I have lost my place in Toyota. But I am near signing an agreement for 2010 since there are four new equipments(teams) and many options”

Toyota Leave F1

admin — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:05:41 +0000

A statement from Toyota reads, “Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces it plans to withdraw from the FIA Formula 1 world championship at the end of the 2009 season,” said a Toyota statement.”

“TMC, which had viewed its participation in F1 as contributing to the prosperity of automotive culture, remained dedicated to competing at the pinnacle of motor sports even in the face of the abrupt economic changes that started last year.”

“However, when considering TMC’s motorsports actitives next year and beyond from a comprehensive mid-term viewpoint reflecting the current severe economic realities, TMC decided to withdraw from F1″

Toyota’s sudden departure announcement could be good news for BMW Sauber however. The Hinwil squad had been hoping another team would drop out of the championship so that they could reclaim a spot on the 2010 grid.

Kobayashi´s first points this weekend in Abu Dhabi

admin — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 22:09:28 +0000

“It was a really good race for me,” he said. “At the start I overtook Raikkonen and that was important in the end because it would have been difficult to finish in the top six if I had been behind him during the first stint. When I got past I was confident I had the race pace to fight for the points and my target was to be consistently fast.
“The team did a great job with the strategy and the pit stop which played a big part in helping me finish in the points. I certainly wasn’t expecting to be racing in Formula One this season and I want to say thank you to Toyota for this opportunity. My target was to finish in the points today but I am a bit surprised to be in the top six. This is a fantastic result and I am extremely happy.”