Kobayashi on for Toyota race seat in 2010
Kobayashi's sixth place has prompted Howett to consider him for a drive in 2010
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Monday, 02, Nov 2009 09:44
By Adam Leveridge.
Kamui Kobayashi could be set for a permanent race-seat in 2010, according to Toyota team principal John Howett.
The 23-year-old from Japan stormed to his first ever points for sixth place in Abu Dhabi on Sunday; a result he achieved partly because of an overtaking move on the newly crowned champion Jenson Button.
Toyota are currently looking for new drivers for 2010 and when asked whether Kobayashi will have a drive for the Cologne-based team next season after such an impressive performance, Howett said: "It looks like it.
"We will have to give really serious consideration, as he has really shown very good strong results. 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."
After a difficult season in the European GP2 Series, there were doubts about Kobayashi's potential, but Howett said that Kobayashi's performances in Brazil and Abu Dhabi had erased any concerns he might have had about his ability.
"I think that is why there was some hesitation," said Howett.
"We always understood that he was very good in terms of racing spirit.
"That has been there all through his career, but because partly the GP2 pace did not look competitive, you were always hesitant against the risk.
"It is a lesson definitely that sometimes we should all be braver in our driver choices and not go for the safer risk-hedged decision."
"There are some current drivers that are not fixed who you would consider, but if they looked not likely then we would prefer to take a brave new direction."