Kobayashi joins Ferrari

[tpe]

!!!!
Now, that is something I didn't see it coming. OK, it is just for the GT, but, obviously, FM has to deliver this year!

[vcs316]

Kobayashi joins Ferrari

Kamui Kobayashi is joining the ranks of Scuderia Ferrari, which makes him the first Asian driver to play his part in the history of the Prancing Horse. The Japanese driver will take part in GT races, competing in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) thus strengthening the team of drivers on the Ferrari books. His first event will be the Silverstone 6 Hours on 14 April.
Kamui was born in 1986 in Amagasaki and made his Formula 1 debut on 18 October 2009 for Toyota, in his home race, in Japan. Driving for Toyota and Sauber, Kobayashi took part in 60 Grands Prix. He scored a total of 125 points and his best result was a podium finish in the 2012 Japanese Grand Prix.

“I am pleased to be able to announce today my new role,” said Kobayashi. “It’s an honour for me to become part of the Ferrari family. It will be the first time that I compete in endurance races in a championship featuring GT cars. I can’t wait to start working with AF Corse and I really hope I can aim for the title, along with my team-mates. I will work hard and give my all in this new chapter in my career, knowing I can count on the support of all my fans. I would like to thank Ferrari for this opportunity and, finally, would like to dedicate this season’s new adventure to everyone in Japan, who on this very day, commemorate the second anniversary of the devastating earthquake that hit our country.”

[bluesilhouettes]

Kobayashi is much better than some rookies like Crashjean.

[wisepie]

He's got form, that's for sure, and was a bit kamikaze to start with but was maturing nicely. Good for him that he's now on the Ferrari radar, as for the comment from tpe above, FM will deliver this year so let's not go down that road again!!

[71dino]

it is a great match.

[Rob]

Already posted up yesterday..

http://www.thescuderia.net/forums/sh...949#post773949

Be another strong driver for our AF Corse team, with Fisi and Bruni aready. Heard that he would join AF few days ago. Look forward to seeing him race at Silverstone.

[Nova]

Kobi is a surprise signing to me, but all the best to him and of course AF Corse.
Actually has to be a dream come true for him..being signed by Ferrari.

[Massimo]

Kobi is a surprise signing to me, but all the best to him and of course AF Corse.
Actually has to be a dream come true for him..being signed by Ferrari.

There was 1 seat available with the AF Corse team, Ferrari tested Karun Chandhok, Luca Filippi, Davide Rigon, Brandon Maisano and Kamui Kobyashi.
Fisichella and Bruni where present at the test at Circuito Motorland Aragón in Spain to help make the decision, Kamui must have done something right i guess.

[wisepie]

There was 1 seat available with the AF Corse team, Ferrari tested Karun Chandhok, Luca Filippi, Davide Rigon, Brandon Maisano and Kamui Kobyashi.
Fisichella and Bruni where present at the test at Circuito Motorland Aragón in Spain to help make the decision, Kamui must have done something right i guess.

Would love to have seen Luca Filippi get a chance, he's been around for ages and is due some recognition, before he 'gets too old'!!

[Kiwi Nick]

This is an indication of just how important the Asian market is becoming.

[Tobes]

This is an indication of just how important the Asian market is becoming.

That was my initial thought, but maybe that's not giving him the credit he deserves, he may not have made it into a top F1 team, but as Massimo has pointed out, he got the nod over some good drivers with the approval of Fisi and Bruni who are two very good experienced pro's...
Some drivers are just better in tin top classes than open wheel, Mika, Ralf and more recently DC didn't exactly set the DTM world alight, they generally circulated in the mid-field or crashed, and yet the McLaren test driver was (and still is) better than all of them...

Here's hoping Kamui is a bit of a Gary Paffet...

[impactX]

Also, I think Kobayashi was underrated in F1. Perez who only scored 6 points more than him last season gets to switch to McLaren but Kobayashi was forced to quit? Doesn't quite make sense but anyhow.

[Massimo]

Also, I think Kobayashi was underrated in F1. Perez who only scored 6 points more than him last season gets to switch to McLaren but Kobayashi was forced to quit? Doesn't quite make sense but anyhow.

Let's make that Telmex switch to McLaren, since this will be Vodafone's last year, let's see how the temperament of Checo fits in with Big Ron's idea of corporate indentity.

[Honzus]

Great video with Kamui in Maranello!

[Giallo 550]

Congratulations to Kamui, however, I do not want to see him in a Ferrari F-1 car because I do not believe he is good enough. Perez scored 6 points more than him and is also 3 years younger, so I don't quite get that comparison.

[FrankAlfa]

Excellent video! The history of Ferrari humbles everyone who realized just what they have accomplished!

Ciao,

Forza Ferrari!!!!

[Nero Horse]

This is an indication of just how important the Asian market is becoming.

Don't underestimate Koba. He's an excellent racing driver and fully deserves his place at Ferrari. Ferrari wouldn't hire anyone who's not good enough.