Kamui Kobayashi has moved further towards becoming a full time driver with Toyota next season after impressing the team’s senior management.
The Japanese driver, who stood in for the injured Timo Glock for a second time this weekend, recorded an impressive display with a sixth placed finish.
“We will have to give really serious consideration, as he has really shown very good strong results.” Toyota’s team president John Howett told Autosport.
“I am very impressed. We were very happy again. What we like is his real fighting spirit. He is not intimidated by anybody. It’s very positive.”
Meanwhile Romain Grosjean believes that he should be given more time by Renault, after failing to impress in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The French driver, who struggled to keep up with Fernando Alonso in the sister car, claims that he deserves more time to prove he is capable of racing in Formula One and has vowed to fight off his potential replacements, including Timo Glock.
“I’m a fighter until the end. I am very motivated to stay,” he is quoted as saying by the French press. “I have to wait for the decision of the team. It would be stupid to do only seven races with a car down in performance. If the story stops here, it would be a complete mess.â€
Stefano Domenicali has expressed his confidence in Ferrari to build a championship-winning car next season.
“We have a car designed with a basis that could not be competitive next year.” Domenicali is quoted as saying by Spain’s AS.
“For that reason we made the decision to stop its evolution. As with everything, time will tell if we were right,”
In an interview with Autosport future driver, Fernando Alonso, also echoed the team principal’s sentiments.
“Until the first race next year we will not know, but I am happy that my future team stopped earlier because I am sure there will be some benefit. Plus Renault stopped earlier, I fully understand their decision and hopefully they can have a good car next year as well.”
Finally Abu Dhabi has revealed a series of ambitious long-term plans to increase it’s representation in Formula One.
Thanks to the establishment of a multi-million dollar fund, the United Arab Emirates will now be able to foster younger drivers and teams to create a stronger base in motorsport.
“The intention is to have an Indy racing team, and MotoGP teams based in the UAE using UAE drivers and riders with the ultimate intention to move in to Formula One if budgets allow,” Network Grand Prix partner Lawrence Challenbron said in an Arabian Business report.
“The fund currently available is in the millions with monies being provided by various sources. This money will be used to build the team infrastructure,” he added.
