Kamui Kobayashi drove a Haas F1 at Paul Ricard, aiding Toyota’s efforts to prepare its next Formula 1 generation.
Kamui Kobayashi was back at the wheel of a Formula 1 car for the first time in over ten years yesterday, during a private test session for Haas F1 in France.
The team principal and World Endurance Championship driver for Toyota competed in 75 Grands Prix between 2009 and 2014.
This test takes place within the framework of the technical partnership established between Toyota and Haas last year. Under this agreement, Toyota provides design and manufacturing services to Haas, while the F1 team gives Toyota’s young drivers the opportunity to drive their cars in compliance with previous car testing regulations.
The manufacturer placed its WEC driver Ryo Hirakawa within the team as a reserve driver. Hirakawa completed his second of four scheduled Free Practice 1 appearances for the team last week.
Kobayashi, now 38, is clearly no longer a young driver, but took the opportunity to enjoy himself with Haas at the Paul Ricard circuit.
The Japanese driver made his F1 debut with the factory Toyota team at the end of 2009. However, Toyota withdrew from F1 at the close of that same season. Kobayashi joined BMW Sauber the following year. He scored the last podium for a Japanese driver in 2012, finishing third at his home race in Suzuka.
After a sabbatical in 2013, Kobayashi returned to F1 with Caterham the following year. However, the team faced financial difficulties, and Kobayashi made his final F1 appearance at the end of 2014.
Since then, he has enjoyed a successful career in WEC, first as a driver and then as a team principal. He won the WEC title and the 24 Hours of Le Mans with teammates José Maria Lopez and Mike Conway in 2021.
“We had fun again with this beast after 11 years,” Kobayashi commented.
“Thanks to Toyota and Haas for this opportunity! Also, a big thank you—physically I was strong over the past two days!”
“This is a collaboration between Toyota Gazoo Racing and the Haas F1 team. We aim to work together on future technologies to improve performance and, at the same time, on the future with Morizo-san [Akio Toyoda, Toyota president]. We want to give a Toyota driver the chance to build a future in Formula 1.”
“I’m no longer young enough to say I want to return as a Formula 1 driver, but today’s opportunity is about giving a young driver the chance to unlock their potential in Formula 1.”
“So, I want to offer advice on what sensations one can experience in Formula 1 this time around, and what needs to be prepared for a future in F1. That’s why it serves as a reference: I’ve taken the wheel of an F1 car again after 11 years. Since 2014, I hadn’t driven an F1 car, and after 11 years, the car is very different. But I enjoyed it, and everything went well. I felt comfortable in the car and physically fine after 11 years.”
“Thanks to Haas for this opportunity! I smiled a lot while driving! This experience gives more chances to a future Toyota driver in Formula 1.”