Nov.1 (GMM) Kamui Kobayashi has admitted his performance in Sunday's Abu Dhabi grand prix was an impressive audition for a full Toyota race seat in 2010.
The Japanese rookie, subbing for the injured Timo Glock for the second race running, started twelfth and finished in sixth place, beating his veteran teammate Jarno Trulli and even overtaking world champions Kimi Raikkonen and Jenson Button."At the moment there is nothing for me for next year, so I had to show my performance," said the 23-year-old, the reigning GP2 Asia champion but just 16th in the feeder category's main series this year.It has long been rumoured that Toyota might promote its reserve driver for 2010, perhaps to appease the carmaker parent's wavering Tokyo-based board, with both Glock and Jarno Trulli unlikely to be staying with the team.Kobayashi, less impressive in terms of pace on debut in Brazil but feisty nonetheless with on-track battles, now rates his chances of carrying his good form into a full-time ride in 2010."Two months ago I had no chance to drive in formula one, but Toyota gave me a chance and now I have a really good opportunity for next year."It's not yet confirmed, but of course Toyota is my priority because I'm a junior driver for Toyota and this is like my home so I'm definitely awaiting an answer," he said.Team boss Tadashi Yamashina said in Abu Dhabi: "Kamui did a fantastic job and we are very proud of him."
