Kobayashi confirmed at Sauber
By BMWF1Talk
December 17 2009
The BMW Sauber F1 Team has issued a confirmation of Kobayashi's seat, as we predicted 2 days ago...
Kamui Kobayashi said:
"Ever since the start of my career I have dreamed of racing in Formula 1. Now this dream has come true.
I am very happy that my two races in 2009 have earned me a cockpit place. 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 1."
Peter Sauber: "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."
More to follow very soon
Kobayashi confirmed at Sauber
Posted by: BMW Sauber F1 (IP Logged)
Date: 17/12/2009 08:22
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Re: Kobayashi confirmed at Sauber
Posted by: Raid Phoenix (IP Logged)
Date: 17/12/2009 13:01
No surprise there, eh?
Just wonder if there's some sponsorship money behind too (and I'm not, only, talking about Panasonic)...
Racing against the machine!
Just wonder if there's some sponsorship money behind too (and I'm not, only, talking about Panasonic)...
Racing against the machine!
Re: Kobayashi confirmed at Sauber
Posted by: Gemm (IP Logged)
Date: 17/12/2009 15:26
must be money involved
Peter cannot afford missing at least one paid driver to balance books next year
Peter cannot afford missing at least one paid driver to balance books next year
Re: Kobayashi confirmed at Sauber
Posted by: pcyryl (IP Logged)
Date: 17/12/2009 16:08
... and for a pay driver he is the best choice IMO. Good job Peter.
Re: Kobayashi confirmed at Sauber
Posted by: sessions (IP Logged)
Date: 17/12/2009 16:25
Yes the Swiss businessman in him surfaced, Ca-ching Ca-ching.
Is it the best choice of the drivers available ? I doubt that but the PANASONIC money can repair the cars he will take out during his learning curve,
Will he learn and do well ? I think he might, so we can hold our breath through the first turns and hope Nick isn't caught up in any of his moves.
Wish his holiness Schumacher would sign so Nick isn't standing around with his finger in his ear waiting.
Maybe if Renault confirms Villeneuve, Micheal will sign to steal Jacques thunder two minutes later.
sessions
Is it the best choice of the drivers available ? I doubt that but the PANASONIC money can repair the cars he will take out during his learning curve,
Will he learn and do well ? I think he might, so we can hold our breath through the first turns and hope Nick isn't caught up in any of his moves.
Wish his holiness Schumacher would sign so Nick isn't standing around with his finger in his ear waiting.
Maybe if Renault confirms Villeneuve, Micheal will sign to steal Jacques thunder two minutes later.
sessions
Re: Kobayashi confirmed at Sauber
Posted by: Raid Phoenix (IP Logged)
Date: 17/12/2009 17:04
Actually it seems it isn't Panasonic the ones putting the money. We should learn more soon 
Ah, and Toyota "helped" during the negotiations...
Racing against the machine!
Ah, and Toyota "helped" during the negotiations...
Racing against the machine!
Re: Kobayashi confirmed at Sauber
Posted by: barteks (IP Logged)
Date: 17/12/2009 17:08
Maybe it's a sushi bar?
2008 Prediction Champion
Re: Kobayashi confirmed at Sauber
Posted by: PsyM (IP Logged)
Date: 17/12/2009 20:06
welcome onboard Kamui!
A good choice for a pay driver for sure, he did well for Toyota, hope he will carry like that next season.
A good choice for a pay driver for sure, he did well for Toyota, hope he will carry like that next season.
Re: Kobayashi confirmed at Sauber
Posted by: BMWF1Talk (IP Logged)
Date: 22/12/2009 18:22
Kobayashi at Hinwil, exclusive photos included:
http://www.blick.ch/sport/formel1/das-sitzt-herr-kobayashi-136440
http://www.blick.ch/sport/formel1/das-sitzt-herr-kobayashi-136440
Re: Kobayashi confirmed at Sauber
Posted by: barteks (IP Logged)
Date: 22/12/2009 18:49
I know they have to cut costs but Peter working on his own on 2010 car? 
2008 Prediction Champion
Re: Kobayashi confirmed at Sauber
Posted by: Raid Phoenix (IP Logged)
Date: 22/12/2009 20:09
Didn't you know Peter has been appointed as the new Head of Engineering?
Racing against the machine!
Racing against the machine!
Re: Kobayashi confirmed at Sauber
Posted by: barteks (IP Logged)
Date: 22/12/2009 20:54
BTW. I think the guy next to Kobayashi is showing him the door, but don't know why 
2008 Prediction Champion
Re: Kobayashi confirmed at Sauber
Posted by: BrokenBaculum (IP Logged)
Date: 29/12/2009 17:21
Quote:Raid Phoenix
Actually it seems it isn't Panasonic the ones putting the money. We should learn more soon
Ah, and Toyota "helped" during the negotiations...
Are you stringing us along or do you actually know something?
If so can we please have a clue?
Re: Kobayashi confirmed at Sauber
Posted by: Raid Phoenix (IP Logged)
Date: 29/12/2009 20:34
Hi BrokenBaculum, i know something, although I couldn't affirm it 100%.
But I got it from two sources. One of them I can't tell you, and the other one is F1scoop which is someone working "inside the paddock" that gotten things right in the past.
So from what I understand neither Panasonic nor KDDI are putting their sponsorship on Sauber, which doesn't mean that another -Japanese- company isn't.
Racing against the machine!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:12:29:20:35:56 by Raid Phoenix.
But I got it from two sources. One of them I can't tell you, and the other one is F1scoop which is someone working "inside the paddock" that gotten things right in the past.
So from what I understand neither Panasonic nor KDDI are putting their sponsorship on Sauber, which doesn't mean that another -Japanese- company isn't.
Racing against the machine!
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2009:12:29:20:35:56 by Raid Phoenix.
Re: Kobayashi confirmed at Sauber
Posted by: BrokenBaculum (IP Logged)
Date: 29/12/2009 22:49
Thanks for the reply. I hope you didn't think I was being a little stern, because I didn't mean to be.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2009:12:29:22:50:39 by BrokenBaculum.
Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2009:12:29:22:50:39 by BrokenBaculum.
Re: Kobayashi confirmed at Sauber
Posted by: KineticKid (IP Logged)
Date: 29/12/2009 23:39
If we are to believe Sauber and Kobayashi, no sponsors came along with the signing. They obviously want to protect the image of the team because hiring pay drivers does not look good. I do think that Kobayashi was the best pay driver available, though, and he should be a good signing. The early indications show he may become Japan's best F1 racer to date.
The sponsor announcements will come later and it will be said that Kobayashi's star power in Japan and visibility in the media since being announced as race driver were what enticed the company to sponsor the team, when we all knew they came as a package.
The sponsor announcements will come later and it will be said that Kobayashi's star power in Japan and visibility in the media since being announced as race driver were what enticed the company to sponsor the team, when we all knew they came as a package.