Kamui Kobayashi signs with Sauber for another season
The Swiss team, Sauber confirmed earlier today that they are to run the 2011 season with the same driver, Kamui Kobayashi.
The Japanese driver came to Formula One in the end of 2009 when the Toyota driver, Timo Glock got injured. At that time the driver had already signed as the third driver for the team and replaced Glock for the Brazil and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix. The driver was quick to impress Formula One’s crew and was signed as the main driver for BMW Sauber during the 2010 season.
The team expressed a lot of confidence in him earlier this season while the 24-year-old driver had also satisfied the team with his performance all through the season, giving a total of 21 points so far to the team that had kept struggling all through the season.
The team Principal, Peter Sauber today made the announcement of retaining the driver saying, "We enjoy having our rookie as part of the team - both as a driver and a person."
He further continued telling, "We never had any doubts about working with him again in 2011.”
Sauber, moreover, explained that Kobayashi has surely fulfilled the expectations of the team in terms of his driving skills along with the fighting spirit and commitment he holds within. He was also happy to add that the driver had groomed immensely over the year, improving his technical understanding along with that of the engineers.
"The experience he has built up over his first full season in Formula One will certainly stand him in good stead for 2011. And our aim is to give him a fast and reliable car from the outset next season."
As the announcement was made in front of the press, Kobayashi also expressed his delight at acquiring his place in the team for another season. He expressed his feelings by saying that the year with the team had been great and he is confident for the next one as well.
"We had a very difficult start to the season, but we've worked together to pull ourselves out of that situation," he told.
He furthermore added that the team had always made him feel at home and he is very pleased to be working with the same people again in 2011.
"However, for now I'm focusing one-hundred per cent on this year. There are still six grand prix weekends to go in 2010, and we'll be hoping to make up more ground," concluded the driver.
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