Formula One news

Nearly Q3 on first attempt for Kobayashi

Kamui Kobayashi qualified a highly impressive 11th on his Grand Prix debut in Sao Paulo as the Toyota test and reserve driver stands in for the injured Timo Glock. The first ever Japanese driver to race in Formula One for the Cologne team starts in the heart of the midfield on Sunday.

Having subbed for an ill Glock in practice at Suzuka a fortnight ago, Kobayashi is driving for the full weekend in Brazil after the unfortunate German crashed heavily in Japan's qualifying session.

Kamui loses it on a very sodden surface in Brazil

"That was a very difficult session for my first qualifying experience in Formula One," Kobayashi said after experiencing a highly wet and highly delayed qualifying 'hour' in Brazil. "The conditions were really hard because, from lap to lap, the situation changed and there was a lot of aquaplaning.

"I have never driven this track in those conditions before, so it was certainly not easy, but the car felt good. I made a small mistake on my last lap in second qualifying, so I missed out on the top 10 - which I am a bit frustrated about - but overall, to qualify in 11th for my Grand Prix debut in conditions like that is a good result which is more than I expected, so I am happy with it."

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