Kamui Kobayashi facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kamui Kobayashi
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| 小林 可夢偉 | |
Kobayashi at the 2024 6 Hours of Fuji
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| Born | 13 September 1986 Amagasaki, Hyōgo, Japan
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| Employer |
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| Title | Team Principal |
| Starts | 80 |
| Championships | 2 (2019–20, 2021) |
| Wins | 19 |
| Podiums | 49 |
| Poles | 21 |
| Formula One World Championship career | |
| Nationality |  Japanese |
| Active years | 2009–2012, 2014 |
| Teams | Toyota, BMW Sauber, Sauber, Caterham |
| Car number | 10 |
| Entries | 76 (75 starts) |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 1 |
| Career points | 125 |
| Pole positions | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 1 |
| First entry | 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix |
| Starts | 81 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 7 |
| Poles | 0 |
| Championship titles | |
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Kamui Kobayashi (born on September 13, 1986) is a famous Japanese racing driver. He is also a top executive in motorsport. Kamui races in the FIA World Endurance Championship for Toyota. He also competes in Super Formula for KCMG.
Kamui Kobayashi raced in Formula One from 2009 to 2014. In endurance racing, he has won two FIA World Endurance Championship titles. He is also a two-time winner of the exciting 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 2021 and 2026, both with Toyota. He also won the 24 Hours of Daytona twice, in 2019 and 2020. Since 2022, Kamui has been the team principal for Toyota in the WEC. Under his leadership, Toyota won three World Manufacturers' Championship titles from 2022 to 2024.
Kamui is one of only a few Japanese drivers to achieve a podium finish in Formula One. He did this at the 2012 Japanese Grand Prix for Sauber.
Contents
Kamui Kobayashi's Early Racing Days
Starting in Karts
Kamui Kobayashi was born in Amagasaki, Japan. His dad owned a sushi restaurant. Kamui started racing when he was just nine years old in 1996. He quickly showed talent, finishing third in his first karting season. Over the next seven years, he won four karting championships. This included winning the Toyota SL All Japan Tournament Cadet Class twice!
Moving to Open-Wheel Cars
In 2004, Kamui joined Toyota's special driver program. This helped him start racing in open-wheel cars. He competed in Formula Renault races in Asia and Europe. He won two races in the Italian championship. The next year, he won both the Italian and European Formula Renault championships with six wins.
In 2006, Kamui moved up to the Formula 3 Euro Series. He earned three podium finishes in his first year. He also won the Rookie's Championship. He continued in Formula 3 in 2007 and got his first win at Magny-Cours. He finished fourth in the championship that year.
Racing in GP2 Series
Kamui had a great start in the GP2 Asia Series in early 2008. He won his first GP2 Series race at the Circuit de Catalunya. He started from pole position and drove very well. He won the GP2 Asia championship in 2008–2009, winning two races.
Kamui Kobayashi in Formula One (2009–2014)
Joining Toyota F1 Team
In 2007, Kamui became a test driver for the Toyota Formula One team. He continued this role in 2008 and 2009.
Kamui made his Formula One debut at the 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix. He replaced an injured driver, Timo Glock. He qualified 11th in a very rainy session. During the race, he bravely held off Jenson Button, who was trying to win the world championship. Kamui finished ninth in that race. He then scored his first World Championship points by finishing sixth at the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Time with Sauber
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In 2010, Kamui joined the Sauber team. He quickly became known for his exciting and aggressive overtaking style. He often passed other drivers by braking very late. He scored 32 points in his first full season.
He continued with Sauber in 2011 and had a strong season. He finished fifth at the Monaco Grand Prix, which was his best result at that time.
The 2012 season was a highlight for Kamui. He achieved his first-ever Formula One podium finish at his home race, the 2012 Japanese Grand Prix. He finished in third place, making his home crowd very proud! He was the first Japanese driver in 22 years to get a podium in Japan. Kamui finished the season with 60 points.
Unfortunately, Sauber decided to change their driver lineup for 2013. Kamui left Formula One, even though his fans raised money to support him.
Endurance Racing and Other Adventures
First Steps in WEC
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In 2013, Kamui started racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) with AF Corse. He drove a Ferrari 458 GT in the LMGTE-Pro class. He also competed in the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans race for the first time, finishing fifth in his class.
Brief Return to Formula One
Kamui returned to Formula One in 2014 with the Caterham F1 team. It was a challenging season for the team. He raced in 16 events before the team faced financial difficulties.
Super Formula and Toyota WEC Success
From 2015 onwards, Kamui focused on Super Formula in Japan and the FIA World Endurance Championship. In 2016, he joined Toyota Gazoo Racing in the WEC. He quickly found success, winning his first WEC race at the 2016 6 Hours of Fuji.
In 2017, Kamui set a new lap record at the Circuit de la Sarthe during the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He finally won the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans with his teammates, Mike Conway and José María López. This was a huge achievement for him and for Toyota. He also won another Le Mans race in 2026.
In December 2021, Kamui took on a new role. He became the team principal for Toyota's WEC program. This means he leads the team while also continuing to race! Under his leadership, Toyota won three World Manufacturers' Championship titles from 2022 to 2024.
NASCAR Debut
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In 2023, Kamui tried something completely different. He made his debut in the NASCAR Cup Series in the USA. He drove a Toyota Camry for 23XI Racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. He returned to NASCAR in 2024, racing at the Circuit of the Americas.
Formula One Test in 2025
Kamui had a special opportunity in June 2025. He tested a modern Formula One car for the Haas F1 Team at Circuit Paul Ricard. This was exciting for fans, as it had been eleven years since he last drove an F1 car.
Kamui Kobayashi's Personal Life
Kamui's name is very special. It comes from "Kamuy," a divine being in Ainu mythology. The letters in his name also sound like "Enabling great dream(s)" in Japanese. In April 2013, he received an award for his amazing achievements in sports at The Asian Awards in London.
Images for kids
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Kamui Kobayashi driving for DAMS at the Nürburgring round of the 2009 GP2 Series season
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Kamui Kobayashi crashed at the "Wall of Champions" at the 2010 Canadian Grand Prix
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Kamui Kobayashi during pre-season testing at Jerez
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Kamui Kobayashi at the 2012 United States Grand Prix
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See also
In Spanish: Kamui Kobayashi para niños
