No 2010 deal yet for hopeful Kobayashi E-mail
Nov.1 (GMM)  Kamui Kobayashi has admitted his performance in Sunday's Abu Dhabi grand prix was an impressive audition for a full Toyota race seat in 2010.

The Japanese rookie, subbing for the injured Timo Glock for the second race running, started twelfth and finished in sixth place, beating his veteran teammate Jarno Trulli and even overtaking world champions Kimi Raikkonen and Jenson Button.

"At the moment there is nothing for me for next year, so I had to show my performance," said the 23-year-old, the reigning GP2 Asia champion but just 16th in the feeder category's main series this year.

It has long been rumoured that Toyota might promote its reserve driver for 2010, perhaps to appease the carmaker parent's wavering Tokyo-based board, with both Glock and Jarno Trulli unlikely to be staying with the team.

Kobayashi, less impressive in terms of pace on debut in Brazil but feisty nonetheless with on-track battles, now rates his chances of carrying his good form into a full-time ride in 2010.

"Two months ago I had no chance to drive in formula one, but Toyota gave me a chance and now I have a really good opportunity for next year.

"It's not yet confirmed, but of course Toyota is my priority because I'm a junior driver for Toyota and this is like my home so I'm definitely awaiting an answer," he said.

Team boss Tadashi Yamashina said in Abu Dhabi: "Kamui did a fantastic job and we are very proud of him."
 

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2010 Calendar

RdGrand Prix Info
1Bahrain GP p1p2p3QuRace
2Australian GP p1p2p3QuRace
3Malaysian GP p1 p2 p3 Qu Race
4Chinese GP 18 April
5Spanish GP 9 May
6Monaco GP 16 May
7Turkish GP 30 May
8Canadian GP 13 June
9European GP 27 June
10British GP11 July
11German GP 25 July
12Hungarian GP 1 August
13Belgian GP 29 August
14Italian GP 12 September
15Singapore GP 26 September
16Japanese GP 3 October
17Korean GP 17 October
18Abu Dhabi GP 31 October
19Brazilian GP 14 November
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