Kamui Kobayashi will race with Sauber in 2010
The remaining F1 seats are going fast. Lucas di Grassi, Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen were confirmed by Virgin Racing and Lotus earlier this week. Today Sauber announced that Kamui Kobayashi will drive for the Swiss team in 2010.
“I’m very much looking forward to working together with Kamui. In the final two Grand Prix of last season he was granted an unexpected chance to show his skills, and he made impressive use of it. Particularly in the Abu Dhabi race he demonstrated not only that he can drive fast and aggressively, but also his ability to successfully implement a strategy. I am convinced he has a great deal of potential and will be able to make the most of it in our team. ” – Peter Sauber
“I am very happy that my two races in 2009 have earned me a cockpit place,” Kobayashi said in a statement Thursday. I will do my very best for Peter Sauber’s team and I am proud to be able to carry on flying the Japanese flag in Formula One.” – Kamui Kobayashi
With no Japanese teams left in F1, Kazuki Nakajima out of Williams and Takuma Sato loosing out on Lotus drive, Kobayashi may be the main magnet for Japanese sponsorship money in Formula One next year.
Fact to note – all three 2009 Toyota race drivers have found race seats for 2010 season following the car company’s pull out from F1. It looks like the least experienced from them has landed the most competitive drive 
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It will be interesting to see what happens next. Nick Heidfeld’s future probably depends on what happens with Michael Schumacher and Mercedes. Then there is the fresh uncertainty about Robert Kubica who may or may not stay with Renault following the deal between Renault and Genii … Few seats but many options left …
Photo: Bridgestone Motorsport
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I’m happy to see Kobayashi back on track next year. Hopefully Sauber can give him a competitive car!
well his car should be more competitive than the cars of his former Toyota buddies Glock (Virgin) and Trulli (Lotus) …
great to see him get a drive, i really enjoyed watching him in the last two races, and really wanted him to do well. now he has a seat i wish him the best of luck
Glad to see Kamui make the cut, though I would have loved to see the return of the destructor Sato.
Will quick Nick remain in Sauber?
unless the post Renault Renault takes him there is not really much else left for him to choose from …