Kamui Kobayashi is the first Japanese driver to have reached formula one without the heavy backing of sponsors.<\/p>\n
That is the claim of Peter Sauber, who rescued the rookie’s motor racing career after Toyota pulled out of formula one at the end of last year.<\/p>\n
At the time, Kobayashi – who was supported and groomed for a long time by Toyota – had just impressed the F1 world with a couple of stirring performances whilst replacing injured regular Timo Glock.<\/p>\n
The 24-year-old has been retained by Sauber for 2011.<\/p>\n
“He is the first Japanese driver who is in an F1 team without supporting the budget,” Sauber is quoted by Turun Sanomat newspaper.<\/p>\n
“He is in F1 due to his ability to drive,” added the Swiss.<\/p>\n
Ahead of his first home grand prix at Suzuka this weekend, Kobayashi recalls standing in for the ill Glock in Friday practice a year ago.<\/p>\n
“Jenson (Button) fought for the championship, but I fought for my life,” he said.<\/p>\n
“I felt like a mountaineer, climbing either to the top or falling into a gaping abyss.\u00a0 There were no other options.<\/p>\n
“I got one chance and knew that if I did not use it, my career in F1 could be over just as it began,” said Kobayashi.<\/p>\n
He confirms he does not fit the usual mould of racing drivers from Japan.<\/p>\n
“My family is very far away from anything related to motor sport.\u00a0 My dad has a sushi restaurant and he has never had a car,” he said.<\/p>\n
“When I became interested in karting when I was 9, I didn’t even know formula one existed,” added Kobayashi, who moved to Europe at 17, living in France and Italy.<\/p>\n
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