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Kobayashi to [formerly Pirelli] AF Corse in World Endurance Championship


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#51 Jimisgod

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Posted 24 January 2013 - 14:48

So at the end it kinda evens out. He got a chance that should have never been possible and he made the most out of it. For me he remains rather mediocre driver still. Being spectacular every now and then might win fans over, but that is not what the teams are after. Speed is. Don't get me wrong, I don't think Perez is special either and I think McLaren may have made a mistake.


:lol: Money is.

I have to :lol: at the Perez sucks bandwagon. I'm sure you are the same people who poo pooed Kimi in a McLaren after one year getting beaten at Sauber.

Kobayashi was more than equal with Perez.

Edited by Jimisgod, 24 January 2013 - 14:48.


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#52 boldhakka

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Posted 24 January 2013 - 16:24

The only reason Kobayashi ever got in F1 in the first place was because he was Japanese. No non-Japanese team would ever replace their injured F1 driver with a guy whose best overall championship standing after two seasons in GP2 was 16th.

So at the end it kinda evens out.


Yep. You have to hand it to him for making the most out of that one opportunity he had, but all good things come to an end.

#53 SonnyViceR

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Posted 11 February 2013 - 11:46

Kobayashi to test the Ferrari 458 GTE with AF Corse
http://www.italiarac...id=38720&cat=69

Awesome :up: Hopefully he gets picked out and gets a drive in either #51 or #71

#54 F1ultimate

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Posted 11 February 2013 - 11:51

Even if he doesn't end up testing rubber for Durex or Pirelli, I hope that whatever he decided to do, allow him to be fast.

#55 One

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Posted 11 February 2013 - 11:51

Good move.
If Kimi were to move elsewhere, or If Webber were to retire from the sport, If Massa is to move on, or Fernando, Perez, Button.... There are so much mutations... Keep on going.

#56 Bunchies

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Posted 11 February 2013 - 17:15

Good move.
If Kimi were to move elsewhere, or If Webber were to retire from the sport, If Massa is to move on, or Fernando, Perez, Button.... There are so much mutations... Keep on going.


:up: :up: :up:

#57 TheUltimateWorrier

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Posted 11 February 2013 - 17:43

Some news is better than none, hopefully this works out for him. At least he won't be working at his dad's sushi restaurant for the year :lol: .

Good move.
If Kimi were to move elsewhere, or If Webber were to retire from the sport, If Massa is to move on, or Fernando, Perez, Button.... There are so much mutations... Keep on going.

I'd love to see Kobayashi in a top team, but barring anything extraordinary happening to one of those drivers, I can't see it happening now :well: .

#58 MrPodium

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Posted 11 February 2013 - 18:38

Even if he doesn't end up testing rubber for Durex or Pirelli, I hope that whatever he decided to do, allow him to be fast.


You wouldn't really want to mention being fast when testing rubber for Durex...

#59 One

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Posted 12 February 2013 - 08:59

Some news is better than none, hopefully this works out for him. At least he won't be working at his dad's sushi restaurant for the year :lol: .


I'd love to see Kobayashi in a top team, but barring anything extraordinary happening to one of those drivers, I can't see it happening now :well: .


FI and Caterham had their seat open and it did not happen. SO the next year will be the same...

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#60 midgrid

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Posted 15 February 2013 - 16:51

Kobayashi to test the Ferrari 458 GTE with AF Corse
http://www.italiarac...id=38720&cat=69

Awesome :up: Hopefully he gets picked out and gets a drive in either #51 or #71


Yesterday's Autosport print edition reports that he is either very close to signing (partnering Fisichella and Bruni) or has already signed.


#61 DracoN

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Posted 15 February 2013 - 17:03

Yesterday's Autosport print edition reports that he is either very close to signing (partnering Fisichella and Bruni) or has already signed.

:up:

#62 SonnyViceR

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Posted 15 February 2013 - 18:10

Yesterday's Autosport print edition reports that he is either very close to signing (partnering Fisichella and Bruni) or has already signed.


Great news. Gonna be an interesting project for him.

But you mean partnering Fisi & Gimmi in the same car as the third driver, meaning no full season gig for him (only enduro(s))? If so, it obviously further improves the Ferrari flagship status the #51 car currently has in the GT ranks. Now if only the AF Corse could bring the second PRO car to the same level, it was lacking badly last year.

#63 midgrid

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Posted 15 February 2013 - 18:17

Great news. Gonna be an interesting project for him.

But you mean partnering Fisi & Gimmi in the same car as the third driver, meaning no full season gig for him (only enduro(s))? If so, it obviously further improves the Ferrari flagship status the #51 car currently has in the GT ranks. Now if only the AF Corse could bring the second PRO car to the same level, it was lacking badly last year.



"It is understood by AUTOSPORT that 26-year-old Kobayashi has already signed or is close to signing to join Gianmaria Bruni, Giancarlo Fisichella and Andrea Bertolini on Ferrari's roster of factory sportscar drivers."

It could actually be the second Pro car, as the article also mentions that Olivier Beretta will not be driving for AF Corse this year; he will go to the ALMS with Risi Competizione instead.

#64 SonnyViceR

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Posted 15 February 2013 - 18:32

Beretta's still listed as the nominated driver for the #71's full season campaign, and Le Mans. He could still do both and then just take a shore leave from either series when there's a scheduling conflict between ALMS and WEC (Baltimore/Interlagos, PLM/Fuji). Just like Gimmi Bruni opted to do the conflicting International GT Open races last year as he was still in the championship hunt for that series

Anyway, judging by that pharapase of yours I'd expect him to be in the #71

Edited by SonnyViceR, 15 February 2013 - 18:34.


#65 muramasa

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Posted 16 February 2013 - 12:39

He's on Fuji TV now, briliant and amusing as always :D

he said at belgium gp beef disagreed with him and he had loose belly all weekend :lol: , got holdup on the beach at USGP :eek:

Edited by muramasa, 16 February 2013 - 12:40.


#66 midgrid

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Posted 11 March 2013 - 19:03

Yesterday's Autosport print edition reports that he is either very close to signing (partnering Fisichella and Bruni) or has already signed.


Confirmed!


#67 Sakae

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Posted 11 March 2013 - 19:14

OK, and next year..?

#68 tjkoyen

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Posted 11 March 2013 - 19:18

OK, and next year..?


He snakes the Hulk to the Ferrari seat soon to be vacated by Massa, duh.;)

#69 muramasa

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Posted 11 March 2013 - 19:24


Why with Domenicali, i thought he's nothing to do with AF Corse which isnt even Ferrari works team.

#70 Harry

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Posted 11 March 2013 - 19:26

Is the WEC televised?

#71 TheUltimateWorrier

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Posted 11 March 2013 - 19:33

It's on Motors TV again this year.

Finally some news about Kobayashi :) .

#72 sosidge

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Posted 11 March 2013 - 19:51

Posted Image

Would be very happy to see this handshake again at the start of 2014... Forza Kobayashi!

#73 Victor_RO

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Posted 11 March 2013 - 20:06

OK, and next year..?


WEC GTE champion with the team. Then part of a Ferrari move to LMP1. One can always dream.

#74 midgrid

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Posted 11 March 2013 - 21:01

Why with Domenicali, i thought he's nothing to do with AF Corse which isnt even Ferrari works team.


It's effectively the works team in all but name though.


#75 Callisto

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Posted 11 March 2013 - 22:54

Posted Image

Would be very happy to see this handshake again at the start of 2014... Forza Kobayashi!

:up:

#76 Harry

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Posted 11 March 2013 - 22:59

It's criminal how he was let go. Can anyone remember how quick kaltenborn was so quick to rubbish Kobayashi's podium in the same weekend at Suzuka? It sucks. I hate the attitude. They should have kept Kobayashi and added Hulkenberg, instead Kobayashi was gone as soon as Perez opened his seat.

I don't like Sauber anymore.

#77 tjkoyen

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Posted 12 March 2013 - 00:05

It's criminal how he was let go. Can anyone remember how quick kaltenborn was so quick to rubbish Kobayashi's podium in the same weekend at Suzuka? It sucks. I hate the attitude. They should have kept Kobayashi and added Hulkenberg, instead Kobayashi was gone as soon as Perez opened his seat.

I don't like Sauber anymore.


I found it pretty lame that Kaltenborn continuously said publicly "Kamui doesn't need sponsors, we know how good he is," and then they boot him and pick Gutierrez.

This is a good move for Kamui. It'd be nice to see him back in F1 some time. It's not totally unreasonable to think he'd be back. Sutil assaulted someone and didn't drive anything for a while and he got 1 test and he's back. As long as Kamui doesn't try to knife anyone, he's a shoe-in.

#78 Sakae

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Posted 12 March 2013 - 06:28

Are we then (on a time-line) at the inception of the future Ferrari team Vettel/Kobayashi in 2015? (I need another pot of coffee to wake up).

#79 Victor_RO

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Posted 12 March 2013 - 07:11

Are we then (on a time-line) at the inception of the future Ferrari team Vettel/Kobayashi in 2015? (I need another pot of coffee to wake up).


No, Kamui is going to get on the podium at Le Mans and he'll get the "knock on the head" that other successful sportscar+ex-F1 drivers have talked about, realize there's more to motorsport than F1 and start racing anything and everything he can get his hands on. Being a factory Ferrari driver in GTs is NOT a springboard back to the F1 team.

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#80 LuckyStrike1

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Posted 12 March 2013 - 07:50

I found it pretty lame that Kaltenborn continuously said publicly "Kamui doesn't need sponsors, we know how good he is," and then they boot him and pick Gutierrez.

This is a good move for Kamui. It'd be nice to see him back in F1 some time. It's not totally unreasonable to think he'd be back. Sutil assaulted someone and didn't drive anything for a while and he got 1 test and he's back. As long as Kamui doesn't try to knife anyone, he's a shoe-in.


What she didn't say though was "But we need sponsors ..."

#81 muramasa

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Posted 12 March 2013 - 08:25

No, Kamui is going to get on the podium at Le Mans and he'll get the "knock on the head" that other successful sportscar+ex-F1 drivers have talked about, realize there's more to motorsport than F1 and start racing anything and everything he can get his hands on. Being a factory Ferrari driver in GTs is NOT a springboard back to the F1 team.

:o :rolleyes:
He probably doesnt need such thing as knock on the head. Ever since his F1 debut he repeatedly said F1's not everything, if bringing your money becomes major way to drive F1 he couldnt care less about F1, etc etc. But Kamui aims to come back to F1.
This opportunity isnt a springboard and actually there's no such thing as springboard for him, and Kamui himself knows it more than anyone else.
For Ferrari keeping him just gives them more option in case emergency and possibly future seat, as well as some publicity to unreached target through WEC, at reasonable price. That's it.
For Kamui, of course as a driver he shud target regular Ferrari F1 seat as one of option but the ultimate objective, but no-one's naive. Being part of Ferrari operation and staying in the racing scene gives him more channel and chance that can lead back to F1. of course that doesnt mean there'll be chance. But again he himself knows more than anyone else.

Edited by muramasa, 12 March 2013 - 08:26.


#82 Sakae

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Posted 12 March 2013 - 09:15

Yeah, I think too that's good he stays in the frame, even as this is very risky position in terms of desirable return to F1. Next year for him might be decisive in terms that someone will pick him up, or he will fade into background. I wish him well. Japan, for all what they have done for F1, deserve an active driver, despite all its indeference, as documented at another thread. With a driver in the news the interest might potentially build up, but without one, the scene and potential for the growth seems rather dull and static.

#83 Meanbeakin

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Posted 12 March 2013 - 10:02

Whilst I would love Kamui to Ferrari F1 in 2014, I don't see how he'd be that much of an improvement over Massa frankly.

#84 F1ultimate

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Posted 12 March 2013 - 10:21

If being a Pirelli test driver is second prize for a booted F1 driver then driving for Ferrari is in another series is 3rd prize.

Good news for Yoshi.

#85 Sakae

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Posted 12 March 2013 - 10:32

Whilst I would love Kamui to Ferrari F1 in 2014, I don't see how he'd be that much of an improvement over Massa frankly.

I can recognize two factors which could make potentially difference.
1. Kamui is healthy, whereas it is not so certain about Massa.
2. Kamui was driving a midfield car, and his reliability and setups were really not smashing, which probably distorts little bit picture about his talent. Driving however for Ferrari next to a driver that can elevate your style and ambitions is totally different ball game. Massa hasn't risen to the occassion too often (for whatever reasons, and to be fair, I am not sure all of those were under his control).

Edited by Sakae, 12 March 2013 - 10:34.


#86 V8 Fireworks

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Posted 12 March 2013 - 11:21

If being a Pirelli test driver is second prize for a booted F1 driver then driving for Ferrari is in another series is 3rd prize.

NASCAR is better than both these options really (by far).

Piquet Jr is on the right track, the Sprint Cup is a long-term prospect for an oval-racing / muscle car novice. A good 3-5 years in lower stock car ranks should prepare an ex-F1 driver for Sprint Cup. :up: :)

#87 mich

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Posted 12 March 2013 - 13:03

Does it mean he is a reserved Ferrari driver for F1 or just for WEC?
I think Kobayashi is better than de la Rosa.

#88 Victor_RO

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Posted 12 March 2013 - 13:09

Does it mean he is a reserved Ferrari driver for F1 or just for WEC?
I think Kobayashi is better than de la Rosa.


Press release suggests it's a full-season deal for the WEC and that Kamui has been hired as a works driver for the GTE racing programme.

#89 KinoNoNo

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Posted 12 March 2013 - 14:14

Good news and at least he still gets to race in a competitive team.

Would of preferred to see him in a prototype at the sharp end of the grid though.

#90 pingu666

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Posted 12 March 2013 - 18:38

gt racing is typicaly closer tbh.

#91 HaydenFan

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Posted 12 March 2013 - 21:16

Good news and at least he still gets to race in a competitive team.

Would of preferred to see him in a prototype at the sharp end of the grid though.


I see this in the same boat in which Grosjean used the FIA GT series to help get back on track in racing. I feel if he moved in with the top prototype teams, like Audi or Toyota, he'd find a comfortable spot and stay there, rather than continue on a track back to F1. This seat

#92 Jimisgod

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Posted 17 March 2013 - 08:53

Sauber must be wondering why they swapped him for GUT. Hope Sauber enjoys that money while Gutierrez runs around 2 seconds slower than his teammate.

#93 jals99

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Posted 17 March 2013 - 09:18

Sauber must be wondering why they swapped him for GUT. Hope Sauber enjoys that money while Gutierrez runs around 2 seconds slower than his teammate.

Guti was GP3 champion, and 3d in GP2, Kobayashi was 4 th in Euro F3 and 16 in GP2( I don't count GP2 Asia as a serious series ). Guti has more potential than Kobayashi, he just needs more track time. Yesterday many pilots made mistakes, today he drove good race, especially with the strategy, when he needs to look for tires. He will be close to Hulk, i am sure


#94 Jimisgod

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Posted 17 March 2013 - 09:25

Guti was GP3 champion, and 3d in GP2, Kobayashi was 4 th in Euro F3 and 16 in GP2( I don't count GP2 Asia as a serious series ). Guti has more potential than Kobayashi, he just needs more track time. Yesterday many pilots made mistakes, today he drove good race, especially with the strategy, when he needs to look for tires. He will be close to Hulk, i am sure


His race was poor, he only finished in front of a Williams who have critical car issues. He crashed in Q1 and was still way of Hulk's pace to the tune of several seconds.

Sorry to burst your bubble but he only looks 'ok' because Hulk never even started.


#95 TheUltimateWorrier

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Posted 17 March 2013 - 13:30

Sauber must be wondering why they swapped him for GUT. Hope Sauber enjoys that money while Gutierrez runs around 2 seconds slower than his teammate.

They swapped Hulk for Kamui. Gutierrez was Perez's replacement.

#96 XOR

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Posted 17 March 2013 - 17:09

No wonder they swapped both drivers and retreated far back.

#97 Jimisgod

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Posted 17 March 2013 - 19:32

They swapped Hulk for Kamui. Gutierrez was Perez's replacement.


Talent for talent, money for money then :p

#98 TheUltimateWorrier

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Posted 17 March 2013 - 19:40

Talent for talent, money for money then :p

Sadly at this moment, yup :well:. I just hope that Massa has a good season, has enough of being Alonso's lapdog, heads off to another team and Ferrari replace him with Kamui for 2014. Never going to happen but I can dream :p

#99 Wander

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Posted 17 March 2013 - 20:52

Talent for talent, money for money then :p


Quote of the day.

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#100 Collective

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Posted 17 March 2013 - 21:45

Guti was GP3 champion, and 3d in GP2, Kobayashi was 4 th in Euro F3 and 16 in GP2( I don't count GP2 Asia as a serious series ). Guti has more potential than Kobayashi, he just needs more track time. Yesterday many pilots made mistakes, today he drove good race, especially with the strategy, when he needs to look for tires. He will be close to Hulk, i am sure

Let them have it while it lasts....