Formula One news

Kobayashi looking good for 2010 Toyota seat

Although Toyota was expected to reveal an all-new driver line-up ahead of the 2010 season, John Howett has hinted that Kamui Kobayashi is likely to be handed a full-time race role with the Cologne outfit following his two sparkling performances while subbing for the injured Timo Glock at the end of the 2009 campaign.

With Glock having crashed heavily in qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix, test driver and 2008-2009 GP2 Asia Champion Kobayashi took the reins alongside Jarno Trulli, finishing an eye-opening ninth in Brazil before registering a fantastic sixth in Abu Dhabi to score three points in only his second Formula One race.

"It looks like it," team President Howett replied when asked if Japanese Kobayashi is a strong candidate for a seat next season. "We will have to give it some really serious consideration, as he has really shown very good and strong results. I am very impressed and we were very happy again; what we like is his real fighting spirit, he's not intimidated by anybody, so it's very positive."

John Howett, Toyota team President

With Trulli and Glock not out of the picture and Adrian Sutil also linked with a possible move from Force India, Howett also considers the option of two rookie drivers. "I think that's something we are currently discussing," he continued. "There are some drivers that are not fixed who you would consider but, if they didn't look likely, we would prefer to take a brave new direction."

A decision from the red and white squad could come after a board meeting on Sunday 15 November.

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