Kamui Kobayashi 2014

Retired

Kamui Kobayashi

Japanese

  • Amagasaki, Hyōgo, Japan Place of Birth
  • 13 September 1986 Date of Birth
  • 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix F1 Debut
  • Caterham F1 Current/Last Team

10

Kamui Kobayashi, born 13 September 1986 is a Japanese racing driver and team principal, best known for his spirited Formula One performances from 2009 to 2014, and for his leadership and success in the FIA World Endurance Championship with Toyota Gazoo Racing. A determined racer with a flair for audacious overtakes, Kobayashi quickly earned a cult following for his aggressive style, most notably during his time with Sauber.

NationalityJapanese
BornKamui Kobayashi
13 September 1986
Amagasaki, Hyōgo, Japan

Kobayashi is the third Japanese driver to score a Formula One podium and one of the country’s most internationally successful racers. His fearless style, especially during overtakes, made him a fan favourite during an era of conservative strategies and limited passing opportunities. His podium at his home race in Suzuka in 2012 remains one of the most celebrated moments in modern Japanese motorsport.

After leaving F1, Kobayashi became one of endurance racing’s most decorated drivers, with two WEC world titles, a 24 Hours of Le Mans victory (2021), and back-to-back Daytona 24 wins (2019, 2020). In 2022, he served as team principal of Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe, overseeing a period of dominance that resulted in multiple manufacturer titles.

Formula One Career

Toyota: 2007–2009

Kobayashi joined Toyota F1 as third third driver in 2008 and 2009. He got his first taste of Grand Prix action during practice at the 2009 Japanese Grand Prix, deputising for Timo Glock. After Glock sustained an injury, Kobayashi was thrust into the spotlight at the 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix, where he delivered a composed performance under chaotic weather conditions and aggressive pressure from Jenson Button, the eventual 2009 World Champion.

Kobayashi’s F1 debut in São Paulo and a points-scoring sixth-place finish in Abu Dhabi just one race later immediately drew praise. His no-nonsense defence and fearless overtakes announced him as a serious driver, with Button dubbing him “crazy, but aggressive—in a good way.”

Sauber: 2010–2012

With Toyota’s shock withdrawal at the end of 2009, Kobayashi signed with BMW Sauber (renamed Sauber F1) for 2010.

2010: In his first full season, Kobayashi impressed, particularly in Valencia, where a long first stint on hard tyres set up a last-lap double overtake on Fernando Alonso and Sébastien Buemi, earning him seventh place. He added points in Silverstone, Hungary, and Japan, eventually finishing the year with 32 points. Commentators like Murray Walker and Martin Brundle praised his attacking style and late-braking style.

2011: Paired with rookie Sergio Pérez, Kobayashi often led the Sauber charge. Despite being disqualified in Australia due to a technical infringement, he achieved several points finishes, most notably fifth place in Monaco and seventh in Canada, where he held second place during the rain-delayed chaos. He ended the season 12th in the standings with 30 points.

2012: This season was Kobayashi’s peak in Formula One. The notorious first-lap crash ruined a career-best second-place start at Spa-Francorchamps, but redemption came at Suzuka, where he delivered a measured, emotional drive to third place—his first and only F1 podium, and the first for a Japanese driver on home soil since Aguri Suzuki in 1990.

He finished the year 12th in the championship with 60 points, but was controversially replaced for 2013 despite strong performances and fan support. Although he raised €8 million in sponsorship to keep his seat, Sauber opted to hire Nico Hülkenberg and Esteban Gutiérrez instead.

Caterham: 2014

After a one-year break, Kobayashi returned to F1 with the Caterham F1 Team, where he partnered Marcus Ericsson. The underfunded outfit offered little chance of success, and with the team collapsing before season’s end, Suzuka 2014 proved to be Kobayashi’s final home Grand Prix.

In total, he made 75 Grand Prix starts, scoring 125 career points, and earned a reputation as one of the most aggressive overtakers and crowd favourites of the early 2010s.

Post-F1 Career and Endurance Racing Success

After Formula One, Kobayashi moved to endurance and GT racing, quickly finding success with Toyota Gazoo Racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

  • FIA WEC Champion (2019–20, 2021)
  • 24 Hours of Le Mans winner (2021)
  • 24 Hours of Daytona winner (2019, 2020, with Wayne Taylor Racing)
  • Super Formula competitor (active concurrently with WEC)

In 2022, he took on team principal duties at Toyota Gazoo Racing Europe while still competing. Under his leadership, the team secured three consecutive Manufacturers’ Championships (2022–2024).

Endurance Racing Summary

  • 24 Hours of Le Mans Wins: 1 (2021)
  • FIA WEC Championships: 2 (2019–20, 2021)
  • Daytona 24 Wins: 2 (2019, 2020)
  • WEC Team Principal Since: 2022
  • WEC Constructors’ Titles as Team Principal: 3 (2022–2024)

Kamui Kobayashi Formula One World Championship career

F1 Career2009–2012, 2014
TeamsToyota, BMW Sauber, Sauber, Caterham
Driver number10
Entries76 (75 starts)
Championships0
Wins0
Podiums1
Career points125
Pole positions0
Fastest laps1
First entry2009 Brazilian Grand Prix
Last entry2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Kamui Kobayashi Teammates

11 driversInvolvementFirst YearLast Year
Jarno Trulli32009
Timo Glock12009
Pedro de la Rosa1520102011
Nick Heidfeld52010
Sergio Perez3920112012
Esteban Gutierrez12012
Marcus Ericsson152014
Robin Frijns22014
Alexander Rossi12014
Roberto Merhi32014
Will Stevens12014

Complete Formula One Results

YearEntrantChassisEngine1234567891011121314151617181920WDCPoints
2009Panasonic Toyota RacingToyota TF109Toyota RVX-09 2.4 V8AUSMALCHNBHRESPMONTURGBRGERHUNEURBELITASINJPN POBRA 9ABU 618th3
2010BMW Sauber F1 TeamSauber C29Ferrari 056 2.4 V8BHR RetAUS RetMAL RetCHN RetESP 12MON RetTUR 10CAN RetEUR 7GBR 6GER 11HUN 9BEL 8ITA RetSIN RetJPN 7KOR 8BRA 10ABU 1412th32
2011Sauber F1 TeamSauber C30Ferrari 056 2.4 V8AUS DSQMAL 7CHN 10TUR 10ESP 10MON 5CAN 7EUR 16GBR RetGER 9HUN 11BEL 12ITA RetSIN 14JPN 13KOR 15IND RetABU 10BRA 912th30
2012Sauber F1 TeamSauber C31Ferrari 056 2.4 V8AUS 6MAL RetCHN 10BHR 13ESP 5MON RetCAN 9EUR RetGBR 11GER 4HUN 18†BEL 13ITA 9SIN 13JPN 3KOR RetIND 14ABU 6USA 14BRA 912th60
2014Caterham F1 TeamCaterham CT05Renault Energy F1‑2014 1.6 V6 tAUS RetMAL 13BHR 15CHN 18ESP RetMON 13CAN RetAUT 16GBR 15GER 16HUN RetBELITA 17SIN DNSJPN 19RUS RetUSABRAABU Ret22nd0
 Did not finish the race, but was classified as he completed over 90% of the race distance.

Teammates

Driver Nationality Current/Last Team F1 Debut Status
Italian Lotus Racing 1997 Australian Grand Prix Retired
German Marussia F1 2004 Canadian Grand Prix Retired
German Renault 2000 Australian Grand Prix Retired
Mexican Red Bull Racing 2011 Australian Grand Prix Retired
Mexican Haas 2013 Australian Grand Prix Retired
Swedish Sauber 2016 Bahrain Grand Prix Retired
American Marussia F1 2014 Belgian Grand Prix Retired
British Marussia F1 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Retired

Teams

Team Nationality Debut Season Status
Toyota Racing Japanese 2002 Historic
Sauber Swiss 1993 Current
Caterham F1 Malaysian 2012 Historic