F1: Kobayashi Aiming For Race Seat In 2014

Formula 1

F1: Kobayashi Aiming For Race Seat In 2014

Japanese driver tried to raise funds to help him find a spot...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted December 17, 2012 Balen (BEL)

Kamui Kobayashi competed for Sauber in 2012. (Photo: Getty Images/AFP)

Kamui Kobayashi has conceded that he won’t have an F1 race seat for next season, but says that he aims to be back in 2014.

Fans of the Japanese driver had been contributing funds in order to help him find a spot. His last remaining chance of a competitive drive was with Lotus, and that ended with the news that Romain Grosjean has kept the seat.

“Unfortunately the time was still short and I am not able to secure the seat with competitive F1 team for 2013,” said Kobayashi on his website today. “I have to admit that it is very sad and feel sorry for fans and Japanese companies who supported me. But I am still confident to make it happen in 2014.”

Kobayashi said that the high-profile campaign to raise funds had led to serious interest from potential sponsors in Japan.

“Thank you for the big support. I am very appreciated that many of you have donated and trying to make donation. I must mention this that since the donation started, it has become quite big news in Japan. And because of your big support, it gave huge influences to some of Japanese companies and I started receiving good support from them.

“And I was in the position to bring a budget of 8 million Euro at least. If you could imagine the time I had, it was overwhelming reaction and it shows there still is a great potential from Japanese companies.

“I would like to stop the donation for now and while I will save all the money for 2014, I start to look what is the best option for 2013 and also 2014. My main priority is to secure the competitive F1 seat in 2014.”

Regarding his short term future, he said: “I have no interests to race any other categories. I will make an announcement as soon as I make a decision for 2013. So, please wait and really looking forward your support for coming year, too.”

Adam Cooper notched up his 27th season as a racing journalist in 2011. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.

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