Breaking news
Formula E
Kobayashi could combine WEC and Formula E in future
Toyota WEC driver Kamui Kobayashi has expressed an interest in racing in Formula E in the future, and says the series is something he could fit in around his existing commitments.
Jamie Klein
Edited: Dec 26, 2016, 1:03 PM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Two of Kobayashi's 2016 teammates - Sebastien Buemi and Stephane Sarrazin - combine racing for Toyota in WEC with a programme in Formula E.
It's a path the ex-Sauber and Caterham F1 driver has expressed an interest in emulating, owing to the increasing level of competition in the all-electric championship, which is set to have a Japanese round added to the schedule at some point down the line.
"I think [Formula E] looks good," Kobayashi told Motorsport.com. "Many manufacturers are going in and the championship is very competitive. It has good drivers, so If I had a good opportunity, I would go there."
Asked if he could potentially combine WEC and Formula E, he added: "Yeah, because [many drivers] do that. Why not?"
"[Long-term] I’m quite open, but my number one target next year is to win the championship and also win the Le Mans 24 Hours. That’s what I’m focussed on right now."
Debut season results a "surprise"
In his first season of LMP1 competition, Kobayashi and his teammates in the #6 Toyota, Sarrazin and Mike Conway, sealed the Japanese marque's first WEC win since 2014 in the 6 Hours of Fuji.
Having stayed in outside title contention until the final round of the season in Bahrain, the 30-year-old admitted he wasn't expecting to be so strong in his first year.
"I think [it was] pretty good," Kobayashi said of his maiden LMP1 campaign. "It’s my first year this season, and it’s been a really good time. I think what we achieved is pretty good, I’m a bit surprised."
Amid strong suggestions Toyota is poised to run three cars at Le Mans next year after its 2016 heartbreak, Kobayashi also warned his employers to ensure it has the finances in place to ensure a smooth expansion.
"Maybe if we have 100 cars [at Le Mans], it’s a good thing!" quipped Kobayashi. "But it depends on the budget.
"If you have more cars but no increase in budget, you will have more problems with the car. But if we have more budget, why not?"
Interview by Khodr Rawi
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Pro gamer Carroll trains with Bird ahead of Vegas $1m showdown
Next article Mahindra expansion starts with Jim Wright signing
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jamie Klein
Super Formula Fuji: Ayumu Iwasa wins as Kakunoshin Ohta misses chance to seal title
Super Formula
Super Formula
Fuji II
Super Formula Fuji: Ayumu Iwasa wins as Kakunoshin Ohta misses chance to seal title
Super Formula Fuji: Igor Fraga wins while Kakunoshin Ohta closes on title
Super Formula
Super Formula
Fuji II
Super Formula Fuji: Igor Fraga wins while Kakunoshin Ohta closes on title
More from
Kamui Kobayashi
Toyota drivers predict faster lap times and “plenty of fighting” ahead at Le Mans
WEC
WEC
24 Hours of Le Mans
Toyota drivers predict faster lap times and “plenty of fighting” ahead at Le Mans
Kobayashi to return to WTR for Daytona Cadillac attack
IMSA
IMSA
Kobayashi to return to WTR for Daytona Cadillac attack
Kobayashi takes blame for Porsche clash as Toyota exits WEC drivers' title race
WEC
WEC
Fuji
Kobayashi takes blame for Porsche clash as Toyota exits WEC drivers' title race
Latest news
Mirko Bortolotti risked another disqualification: How Grasser saved second place
DTM
DTM DTM 1 h
Mirko Bortolotti risked another disqualification: How Grasser saved second place
FIA enforces new rule to close F1 cost cap loophole
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
2 h
FIA enforces new rule to close F1 cost cap loophole
Marc Marquez praises MotoGP title rival Jorge Martín: “He is an incredible talent”
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP 2 h
Marc Marquez praises MotoGP title rival Jorge Martín: “He is an incredible talent”
McLaren held fresh talks after Singapore GP clash as Lando Norris promises to "make better decisions"
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
3 h
McLaren held fresh talks after Singapore GP clash as Lando Norris promises to "make better decisions"
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe