user icon
user icon
icon
link-icon
<< Return to the news list
Kobayashi likes the idea of three-car top teams for 2015

Kobayashi likes the idea of three-car top teams for 2015

  • Published on 19 Sep 2014 11:05
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
Kamui Kobayashi has admitted in Singapore that he may be left out of Caterham's plans for his home Japanese grand prix later this month. The Japanese, who is not substantially sponsored, was dropped by the team's new management in Belgium recently as Caterham chose Andre Lotterer and the Le Mans winner's sponsor Hype.

Multiple names have been linked with the seat ever since, but the feisty and popular Kobayashi has so far returned to the green-coloured cockpit at Monza and now Singapore. But all the time, his future has been clouded, and looking no brighter by the day. "So far I can confirm that I will race here," Kobayashi said in Singapore.

When asked about his sponsorship situation, he answered: "I have no money. I do have a contract until the end of the season, but sometimes in formula one contracts don't mean anything. That is no surprise," said the Japanese.

If he wants to bolster his chances of returning for his home race at Suzuka, then - where in 2012 he scored a highly-popular podium - he needs to sign up a sponsor. "I have talked about it," said Kobayashi, "but this is not so easy." Asked how much he would have to raise, the 28-year-old answered: "I can't say. A lot!" he smiled.

One option rumoured in the media in recent days and weeks is that Honda's return to F1 with McLaren next year could open a new opportunity for Kobayashi, whose grand prix career started with substantial Toyota support. He said on Thursday: "I am not affiliated with Honda. At the moment, their arrival does not change my prospects for next year. I know some people there, but I think I can't say anything, as they are involved in a completely different project."

Kobayashi is, however, well connected at Ferrari, where last year he filled in his time between F1 seats driving in endurance racing. "No," he insisted. "My goal is to continue in formula one next year. I am also realistic. Formula one is in a very difficult economic situation. I don't know how many teams will exist next year."

Oddly, if teams in the second half of the grid do go out of business, it might only substantially boost Kobayashi's chances of staying in F1. "I like this idea," he answered, when asked about mooted plans to keep up grid numbers next year by inviting top teams to field third cars. "For me it could be an opportunity," said Kobayashi. (GMM)
F1 News Ferrari McLaren Honda

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

Related news

World Championship standings 2022

Pos
Team
Points
1
Red Bull Racing
759
2
Ferrari
554
3
Mercedes
514
4
Alpine F1
173
5
McLaren
159
6
Alfa Romeo Racing
55
7
Aston Martin
55
8
Haas F1
37
9
Alpha Tauri
35
10
Williams
8
Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing

Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing

See full test schedule

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Team profile

Ferrari
Ferrari
Show full profile

Formula 1 Calendar - 2022

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
18 - Mar 20
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
25 - Mar 27
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
8 - Apr 10
Australia
Albert Park
22 - Apr 24
Italy
Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
6 - May 8
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
20 - May 22
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
27 - May 29
Monaco
Monte Carlo
10 - Jun 12
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
17 - Jun 19
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
1 - Jul 3
United Kingdom
Silverstone
8 - Jul 10
Austria
Red Bull Ring
22 - Jul 24
France
Paul Ricard
29 - Jul 31
Hungary
Hungaroring
26 - Aug 28
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
2 - Sep 4
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
9 - Sep 11
Italy
Monza
30 - Oct 2
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
7 - Oct 9
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
21 - Oct 23
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
28 - Oct 30
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
11 - Nov 13
Brazil
Interlagos
18 - Nov 20
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2022

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Spain Circuit de Catalunya
-
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
18 - Mar 20
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
25 - Mar 27
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
8 - Apr 10
Australia Albert Park
22 - Apr 24
Italy Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
6 - May 8
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
20 - May 22
Spain Circuit de Catalunya
27 - May 29
Monaco Monte Carlo
10 - Jun 12
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
17 - Jun 19
Canada Gilles Villeneuve
1 - Jul 3
United Kingdom Silverstone
8 - Jul 10
Austria Red Bull Ring
22 - Jul 24
France Paul Ricard
29 - Jul 31
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Aug 28
Belgium Spa-Francorchamps
2 - Sep 4
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
9 - Sep 11
Italy Monza
30 - Oct 2
Singapore Marina Bay Street Circuit
7 - Oct 9
Japan Circuit Suzuka
21 - Oct 23
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
28 - Oct 30
Mexico Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
11 - Nov 13
Brazil Interlagos
18 - Nov 20
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule
show sidebar