Driver Kamui Kobayashi - anyone else impressed?

duke_toaster · 20 Oct 2009, 21:30 (Ref:2565765)

Odd we haven't had a thread on this. Was anyone else impressed with Kamui Kobayashi's debut? Just missing out on the points in his first race and some good overtakes - surely he's now a prospect for 2010? This sounds premature, but I think he might be Japan's first F1 race winner.

The only issue is that he does have appear to have a somewhat aggressive style, let's see if it pays dividends. I can't say I've been following his career closely, especially following GP2 leaving ITV4 ...

nickyf1 · 20 Oct 2009, 21:35 (Ref:2565767)

I loved his move round Nakajima!

I am definetaly a fan, especialy if he is partnered with Kimi next season at Toyota. Unlikey, but maaan that would be good.

johnny99 · 20 Oct 2009, 21:46 (Ref:2565775)

I was definitly impressed. He drove a hard race, and was intimidated by no one. It was nice to see a rookie doing well, compared to poor Jamie and the like, who lack confedince due to know testing.

John

**Born Racer** · 20 Oct 2009, 21:48 (Ref:2565776)

I was impressed on first impressions. It's early days, and we know that Toyota can go further up the grid and up the results, but his pace wasn't bad, he showed fire and I ask- when did he last drive an F1 car?

How's Toyota's simulator?

Looked like a job well done.

Hawkwood · 20 Oct 2009, 22:52 (Ref:2565812)

Would Toyota getting Raikonnen make it more likely that Kobayashi gets the drive, or would they want someone who would be able to push Kimi a little more? Because being paired with the Finn could crush his confidence right?

RotorFan · 20 Oct 2009, 22:55 (Ref:2565814)

Yes. He drove very well. I especially liked when Button did the dive bomb on him, and let Button out brake himself so he could overtake him again

Shows he's a real racer I think.

I hope he drives next year. It would be good to see a successful Japanese driver.

**Bononi** · 20 Oct 2009, 23:56 (Ref:2565846)

I was impressed. Did I mention that somewhere else ?

Such are the times we live in... in old days he would have already a bunch of admirers posting here. Maybe because he's japanese and F1 never really got a japanese star.

JeremySmith · 21 Oct 2009, 00:00 (Ref:2565850)

Bononi we are afraid to be too impressed, maybe it wont be cool if we admit it...

I think he did a really good job in his first F1 Grand Prix..Now his hair stylist, well never mind..

runshaw · 21 Oct 2009, 00:26 (Ref:2565860)

I followed his career since I saw him oliterate the Formula Renault Eurocup field at Donington Park in 2005 in the most appalling conditions! He has always been an aggressive but fair driver most of the time. He qualified on pole for the Macau F3 GP at his first attempt which not many people manage, and has won 5 GP2 races. I thought he did a fine job. Take Fisi as an example; its taking him a while to acclimatise to a different car. And here is Kamui very quickly adapting to a different FORMULA altogether, with barely any running! He was as high as 3rd, and diced with the championship leader and even re-overtook him, that is good stuff. He's got some balls. I haven't seen Alguersuari or Grosjean doing anything like that.

**Bononi** · 21 Oct 2009, 00:26 (Ref:2565861)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremySmith

..Now his hair stylist, well never mind..

Uhn... I have to check this out !

Fox89 · 21 Oct 2009, 00:41 (Ref:2565868)

I was hugely impressed, he's a natural racer. That's not to say he was flawless though, he needs to work on his braking zone manners a bit! And his pace needs to improve. Bear in mind Button passed him and escaped at 1.5 seconds per laps, and he then fell into the clutches of Nakajima and maybe someone else I can't remember.

Still, for a debut he was superb! Lots of potential there.

Dutton · 21 Oct 2009, 00:48 (Ref:2565869)

Well, he impressed me enough to give him DotR. It was very promising. It must have caught Toyota's attention.

**Bononi** · 21 Oct 2009, 00:49 (Ref:2565870)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fox89

Bear in mind Button passed him and escaped at 1.5 seconds per laps, and he then fell into the clutches of Nakajima and maybe someone else I can't remember.

Yeah, but for a first time with no training and in a track he never raced before, that was... wow, having the others, all veterans and knowing the car the whole season, running faster than him is not really something to worry. Fantastic. Like you said huge potential there.

marcus · 21 Oct 2009, 05:44 (Ref:2565955)

I certainly enoyed his debut as Im sure he did too

Well done and I hope we get to see more of him

runshaw · 21 Oct 2009, 12:07 (Ref:2566215)

For some reason John Howett has described Kamui as 'a bit slow' at Interlagos. And to be honest, I can't see any logic in that. He qualified 11th, finished 10th and set his fastest lap of the race (11th fastest overall) right near the end, proving he is more than physically capable. Howett is such a miserable sod.

ECW Dan Selby · 21 Oct 2009, 12:33 (Ref:2566251)

I couldn't agree more - I really thought that was quite demoralising for a guy who put in a really good debut imo, and in alot of other people's opinions.

Selby

**Born Racer** · 21 Oct 2009, 13:38 (Ref:2566310)

What an odd thing to say. For a man whose teams have been slow to do anything in F1. The most boring, lifeless, passion-sapping marketing excuse of a team.

kartracer41 · 21 Oct 2009, 13:42 (Ref:2566313)

I was quite impressed for a first drive, and a Japanese driver at that. I've not been the slightest bit moved by any of the other Japanese drivers we've had. This one on the other hand. He wasn't afraid to dice it with whomever.

Chiefy · 21 Oct 2009, 14:23 (Ref:2566341)

I have to say I was very impressed. Whether he'll remain this exciting I cannot say, but it would be nice to think now that he will get a shot next season. The signs look good.

baclightning · 21 Oct 2009, 19:55 (Ref:2566571)

Absolutely. I thought it was one of the most impressive debuts in recent years. With a little experience, I think he could become Japan's first top level F1 driver. I hope he gets serious consideration for a seat in 2010...

**Adam43** · 21 Oct 2009, 20:11 (Ref:2566584)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeremySmith

Bononi we are afraid to be too impressed, maybe it wont be cool if we admit it...

He was alright. *shrugs and tries to look non-plussed*

Clive Brown · 21 Oct 2009, 21:23 (Ref:2566649)

Just downright bloody dangerous. Get alongside him, and he just drives at you; should have been DQd for wrecking Nakajima.

As he's a Toyota driver, why not send him to the NASCAR Sprint Cup for three years or so; that might teach him some track manners.

Peralta · 21 Oct 2009, 21:56 (Ref:2566674)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clive Brown

Just downright bloody dangerous. Get alongside him, and he just drives at you; should have been DQd for wrecking Nakajima.

As he's a Toyota driver, why not send him to the NASCAR Sprint Cup for three years or so; that might teach him some track manners.

I agree with you to a point and am sure he will behave at the next race but he is exciting to watch and hopefully he will go better at Abu Dabhi. It's good to see a Japanese driver in the field as they are such fanatics as much as the Italians so am glad to see them rooting for one of their own and will be a huge benefit if Toyota hire him for next year.

johntt · 21 Oct 2009, 22:03 (Ref:2566678)

I was impressed with him until he punted Nakajima off.

Take the krashy out of Kobayashi and you'll have a good driver.

runshaw · 22 Oct 2009, 00:34 (Ref:2566750)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clive Brown

Just downright bloody dangerous. Get alongside him, and he just drives at you; should have been DQd for wrecking Nakajima.

As he's a Toyota driver, why not send him to the NASCAR Sprint Cup for three years or so; that might teach him some track manners.

He isn't downright bloody dangerous, is he? He wasn't even penalised. Nakajima said in hindsight he wouldn't have got past, so don't disagree with Kazuki himself, never mind saying he should have been 'DQd'- how petty. Have you ever watched some of the maneuvers a Brazilian driver of the name Ayrton Senna used to do? Judge for yourself what is dangerous...and what are merely racing incidents.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
who impressed?	Dan Fielden	Formula One	30	18 Oct 2006 20:59
Impressed	The Tool Man	Announcements and Feedback	24	9 Oct 2002 13:49
DTM : who's impressed you so far	alesi95	Touring Car Racing	10	7 Jun 2002 18:00
A Word About The Rookies - Who Impressed You The Most?	Jeanburrasca81	Formula One	16	12 Mar 2001 16:14