Kamui Kobayashi to test Super Formula car

kobayashi kamui.jpg

After a disastrous return to Formula One in 2014, where Japanese driver Kamui Kobayashi left behind a paid factory Ferrari GT drive to join Caterham, only to see the team disintegrate whilst he was forced to watch from the sidelines after his seat went to the highest bidder for a portion of the season.


Kobayashi has previously stated his intention to remain in F1, although this latest news seems a sensible move from the Japan racer, as he looks to resurrect his career once again after this year. Kobayashi will be taking part in the Super Formula rookie test at the Okayama circuit which takes place this Wednesday and Thursday. Kobayashi will pilot the Dallara SF14 racer with Toyota power, with Kobayashi hoping to impress.

It appears Kobayashi wants to remain racing single seaters, although he hasn't categorically stated this, which leaves the only realistic option being Indycar or Super Formula. Of these two Super Formula would make the most sense as it's the premier single seater championship in his native Japan. It would be a lot easier to find a drive and gain sponsorship for him in his home country, whilst the series is currently undergoing a resurgence with a new Dallara race car and an improving grid in terms of international appeal and quality.

Were Kobayashi to join the series next year, he would only be adding to the quality as he would be potentially racing with the likes of ex-F1 drivers Kazuki Nakajima, Narain Karthikeyan and Tonio Luizzi. He would also be racing against the best of young Japanese talent alongside international sports car drivers Andre Lotterer and Loic Duval also. The current quality of the grid would surely something that would appeal to Kobayashi as he comes to a decision regarding his plans for next year.

What are your thoughts on this potential move for Kamui Kobayashi? A good or bad move and why?
 
I still think the biggest mistake of his career so far has been leaving the Ferrari GT seat.
He went from getting paid with a great team in a great series to getting paid naught and driving the worst car of the field.
 
Quoting myself!

However, Super Formula* have also gotten a fresh breath now. Fabio Leimer (GP2 2013 winner), Felix Rosenqvist (the Macau GP 2014 winner), Marvin Kirchhöfer (3rd in GP3 this year), Jolyon Palmer (2014 GP2 Winner) and Kamui Kobayashi are going to test/are in talks for a 2015 seat.

*Formely known as Formula Nippon, where drivers like Eddie Irvine, Pedro de la Rosa, Ralf Schumacher, Mika Salo drove full-time, but also a place where Michael Schumacher, Johnny Herbert, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Roland Ratzenberger, Tom Kristensen, Ralph Firman, Esteban Tuero and Tom Coronel have spent time.

The thing in Japan is that it is easier to live from racing, compared to Europe and US. It's not as lucrative as it was in the 90's, but certainly not bad.
 

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