Kamui Kobayashi | My big break

Motor Sport magazine

Kamui Kobayashi showed so much potential as a go-karting teenager that Toyota locked him into a ten-year racing contract at the age of 14. In our new My big break podcast episode, the Le Mans winner looks at the key moments that shaped his career, including that initial deal which took him all the way to Formula 1 — only for the team to announce that it was pulling out of the series after his third race. Kobayashi tells Chris Medland about his grand prix debut and the “crazy” battle with Jenson Button who would be crowned world champion at the chequered flag. He explains how he secured his return to the grid with Sauber, and why he doesn’t regret his year spent at the back of the grid with Caterham. Now back with Toyota and set to compete in this weekend’s Le Mans 24 Hours, Kobayashi describes his new joint driver and team principal role, as well as how he sees himself helping to shape the future of motor racing.