kids encyclopedia robot

Kamui Kobayashi facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Kamui Kobayashi
Kamui Kobayashi 2010 Malaysia.jpg
Kobayashi in 2010
Nationality Japan Japanese
Born (1986-09-13) 13 September 1986 (age 37)
Amagasaki, Hyōgo, Japan
Previous series
2015–2023
2017–18
2017
2008–09
2006–07
2005
2004–05
2004
2004
2004
Super Formula
Super GT
Formula E
GP2 Series
Formula 3 Euro Series
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0
Formula Renault 2.0 Italia
FR2000 Germany
Asian Formula Renault
FR2000 Netherlands
Championship titles
2021

2019–20

2008–09
2005
2005
FIA World Endurance Championship
FIA World Endurance Championship
GP2 Asia Series
Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0
Formula Renault 2.0 Italia
Formula One World Championship career
Active years 20092012, 2014
Teams Toyota, 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
FIA World Endurance Championship career
Years active 2016 – present
Teams Toyota Gazoo Racing
Starts 53
Championships 2 (2019–20, 2021)
Wins 16
Poles 19
Fastest laps 10
Best finish 1st in 2019–20, 2021
24 Hours of Le Mans career
Participating years 2013, 2016–2023
Teams AF Corse, Toyota Gazoo Racing
Best finish 1st in LMH (2021)
Class wins 1
World Endurance Championship – LMGTE Pro
Years active 2013
Teams AF Corse
Starts 8
Wins 1
Podiums 1
Poles 0
Fastest laps 2
Best finish 7th in 2013
Kamui Kobayashi
NASCAR Cup Series career
Car no., team No. 67 (23XI Racing)

Kamui Kobayashi (小林可夢偉, Kobayashi Kamui, born 13 September 1986) is a Japanese racing driver who currently competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship for Toyota Gazoo Racing. He previously competed in Formula One, Super Formula, Formula E, the GP2 Series, and the GP2 Asia Series. Kobayashi became champion of the FIA World Endurance Championship alongside co-drivers Mike Conway and José María López in the 2019–20 season and in 2021, where he also won the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Kobayashi is the third FIA world champion from Japan after Toshi Arai and Kazuki Nakajima, and became the third Asian-born driver after countrymen Aguri Suzuki and Takuma Satō to score a Formula One podium finish at the 2012 Japanese Grand Prix.

Racing career

Early career

Kobayashi was born in Amagasaki in Hyōgo Prefecture, near Kobe. His father owns a sushi restaurant. He began his career in motorsport in 1996 when he was nine years old, finishing third in his first season of karting in the SL Takarazuka Tournament Cadet Class. During the following seven years, Kobayashi took four karting titles, winning the Toyota SL All Japan Tournament Cadet Class series twice.

In 2004, he signed for Toyota's Driver Academy and soon began his career in open wheel racing. His next step was Formula Renault, entering the Asian, German, Italian and Dutch championships and taking two race victories in the Italian championship. Kobayashi continued in the Formula Renault class, entering the Italian and European championships and with six wins in both championships, he won both titles.

In 2006, Kobayashi entered the Formula 3 Euro Series with ASM Formule 3 alongside Paul di Resta, Giedo van der Garde and Sebastian Vettel. He took three podium positions in his debut season, coming eighth in the Drivers' Championship and first in the Rookie's Championship. Kobayashi also entered the Macau Grand Prix and the Masters of Formula 3, which are annual Formula Three events. Kobayashi started in 10th place and finished the race a place lower in 11th, while at the Macau Grand Prix, he started the race in pole position but finished in 19th place.

At the beginning of 2007, Kobayashi, along with Kōhei Hirate, was named as one of the Toyota Formula One team's test drivers. He stayed in the Euro Series for the upcoming season and had an impressive start, taking two podiums in the first four rounds. He achieved his first race victory in Formula 3 at Magny-Cours, in the tenth round, a support race for the Formula One French Grand Prix. Kobayashi finished fourth in the Drivers' Championship.

GP2

Kamui Kobayashi 2009 GP2 Nurburgring
Kobayashi driving for DAMS at the Nürburgring round of the 2009 GP2 Series season

Following a successful GP2 Asia Series campaign in early 2008, Kobayashi won his first GP2 Series race in only the second race of the season. After a strong start from pole in the sprint race at the Circuit de Catalunya, Kobayashi took the chequered flag in first place. This was after a controversial piece of defensive driving from his former Euro Series teammate Romain Grosjean after a safety car period. At the end of the pit straight, Kobayashi attempted a pass on Grosjean. However, the Frenchman moved more than once to defend his position, forcing Kobayashi into evasive action. This resulted in a drive through penalty for the Frenchman, handing the win to Kobayashi. However, he only finished in the points on one further occasion, restricting him to sixteenth in the championship.

Another successful GP2 Asia campaign followed over the winter months of 2008 and 2009, with Kobayashi winning two races en route to the championship, with a round to spare. Kobayashi could not repeat his form in the main series, finishing sixteenth again.

Formula One (2007–2012)

On November 16, 2007, it was confirmed that Kobayashi would replace the departing Franck Montagny as the Toyota F1 team's third driver. He was the team's test and reserve driver during the 2008 and 2009 seasons.

Toyota (2009)

Kamui Kobayashi 2009 Japan 1st Free Practice
Kobayashi deputising for Timo Glock during practice for the 2009 Japanese Grand Prix
2009

At the 2009 Japanese Grand Prix, Kobayashi competed in the first two free practice sessions in place of Timo Glock, who was ill. Glock recovered in time to take part in the third free practice session and qualifying, but was injured after crashing in the final session and had to miss the race. Toyota asked the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) for permission to run Kobayashi in the race, but this was refused as the regulations state a driver must run in at least one session on Saturday to be eligible to start the race.

Kobayashi made his Formula One debut at the 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix, following a complication to Glock's injury that was initially not detected. He qualified 11th in a chaotic session that lasted for over two and half hours and was red-flagged twice due to accidents caused by torrential rain. Early in the race, while running in sixth place, he held off for several laps a challenge by Jenson Button, who needed to finish well to clinch the world championship. He finished the race in tenth place, and was later promoted to ninth when Heikki Kovalainen was penalised. Button jokingly described Kobayashi as "absolutely crazy, very aggressive". He also competed in the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, as Glock's injury had not healed sufficiently. Kobayashi qualified 12th and finished sixth, scoring his first World Championship points, in the inaugural day-night race in Abu Dhabi. Before Toyota decided to withdraw from Formula One, Kobayashi was expected to be given a full-time seat at Toyota for the 2010 Formula One Season.

Sauber (2010–2012)

2010
Kamui Kobayashi 2010 Malaysia 2nd Free Practice
Kobayashi driving for Sauber at the 2010 Malaysian Grand Prix
Kobaysahi crash Canadian GP 2010 (cropped)
Kobayashi became another victim of the "Wall of Champions" at the 2010 Canadian Grand Prix

Following Toyota's withdrawal, Kobayashi faced an uncertain future, but he was mentioned in lists of probable drivers for the series' new teams for 2010. After weeks of speculation, it was confirmed on December 17, 2009, he would drive for Sauber for the 2010 season. Despite the team having been sold by BMW back to founder Peter Sauber after the 2009 season, and no longer using BMW components, the team was still named BMW Sauber as it had been known for the past four seasons. His teammate was former McLaren tester Pedro de la Rosa. Kobayashi completed his first laps in the new Sauber C29 chassis during F1 winter testing on 2 February.

During the Australian Grand Prix, a front wing failure on his Sauber caused him to hit the barrier, rebounding off it to cause a three-car crash taking out Nico Hülkenberg and Sébastien Buemi. In the next race in Malaysia he qualified in ninth place, his best grid position up to that point, however he suffered an engine failure early in the race. In China, Kobayashi was involved in a three-way collision with Buemi and Vitantonio Liuzzi on the first lap, making him the only driver to retire from the first four races. In Turkey, he won his first points of the season, coming home tenth after being promoted a place due to Vettel's retirement after a collision with teammate Webber and Petrov's puncture. In Valencia, he finished seventh by passing both Fernando Alonso and Sébastien Buemi in the final laps on fresh tyres, after driving the majority of the race in third position on his first set of tyres. He followed that with sixth place in Silverstone, eleventh in Germany, ninth in Hungary and eighth in Belgium.

At the Italian Grand Prix, Kobayashi suffered a gearbox failure and retired from the Singapore Grand Prix after hitting a track-side barrier. Kobayashi's teammate changed in Singapore as Pedro de la Rosa was removed in favour of Nick Heidfeld. In Japan, Kobayashi qualified 14th and finished seventh, passing several drivers along the way including his teammate, in a very impressive fashion. He finished eighth in Korea and tenth in Brazil, eventually finishing the season with 32 points. In his review of the season, former TV commentator Murray Walker stated that Kobayashi is "without a doubt Japan's best [F1 driver] yet". Kobayashi gained a reputation during the season as a highly skilled overtaker, being able to outbrake drivers several car lengths in front of him. His aggressive overtaking style was described by Martin Brundle as, "He gets to the normal braking point and then goes, 'Now, which one is the brake again? That's right, it's on the left,' and he just sails past people!" He qualified well against his more experienced teammates, outqualifying de la Rosa and Heidfeld 11 times to 8 over the season.

2011
Kamui Kobayashi 2011 Malaysia Qualify
Kobayashi at the 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix

Kobayashi remained with Sauber (renamed from BMW Sauber to Sauber F1 Team) in 2011, where he was partnered by GP2 graduate Sergio Pérez. Kobayashi finished eighth in the season opening Australian Grand Prix, but he and Pérez – who had finished seventh – were disqualified after the race due to an irregularity with the car's rear-wing. The next race of the season in Malaysia was another strong showing for Kobayashi, finishing eighth in the race, eventually classified seventh after Lewis Hamilton received a penalty. He finished tenth in his next three races, before a career-high fifth place in an incident-packed Monaco Grand Prix. In an extremely wet Canadian Grand Prix, Kobayashi worked his way up from 13th place to 2nd having not decided to change to extreme wet tyres before the race was red-flagged, as many other drivers had. This essentially gave him a free pit stop while the race was suspended. After the restart, the track began to dry out, and after changing to intermediate tyres and finally slicks, Kobayashi dropped several places, including having a spin whilst lapping a backmarker and being rear-ended by Nick Heidfeld. He eventually finished seventh, 0.045 seconds behind Felipe Massa, who passed him on the final straight.

2012
F1 2012 Jerez test - Kobayashi drift
Kobayashi during pre-season testing at Jerez

On 28 July 2011, it was announced that Kobayashi would remain with Sauber into the 2012 season, alongside teammate Pérez.

Kamui Kobayashi 2012 Japan FP2
Kobayashi driving for Sauber at the 2012 Japanese Grand Prix

Kobayashi started the season with sixth place at the Australian Grand Prix, and a retirement at the Malaysian Grand Prix, due to a problem with his car's brakes.

Kamui Kobayashi, United States Grand Prix, Austin 2012
Kobayashi at the 2012 United States Grand Prix

He then started third at the Chinese Grand Prix behind the Mercedes of Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher. He dropped to tenth but managed to set the fastest lap. At the Spanish Grand Prix he finished fifth after overtaking Jenson Button and Nico Rosberg. Kobayashi finished in the points once in the next four races, finishing ninth in Canada. Kobayashi finished in a then-career-best fourth place at the German Grand Prix – having finished fifth on-the-road – as he was helped by a post-race penalty for second-placed Sebastian Vettel. After retiring late in the race at the Hungarian Grand Prix, Kobayashi qualified a career-best second for the Belgian Grand Prix but was caught in a first-corner accident along with four other drivers. Kobayashi was the only one of the five to continue in the race, and finished thirteenth.

Kobayashi took his maiden podium in Formula One with third place at the Japanese Grand Prix, after lasting through race-long pressure from Jenson Button. Kobayashi became the first Japanese driver to finish on a Formula One podium in Japan in 22 years, after Aguri Suzuki in the 1990 Japanese Grand Prix, and was the third Japanese driver to finish on a Formula One podium after Suzuki and Takuma Sato in the 2004 United States Grand Prix.

On 23 November 2012, Sauber announced that Kobayashi would not be a part of the team's line-up for the 2013 season, as Nico Hülkenberg and Esteban Gutiérrez would form the race team and Robin Frijns as reserve driver. Kobayashi ultimately finished the season in twelfth place in the Drivers' Championship, with 60 points. Despite raising around 8 million in sponsorship, Kobayashi elected to focus on gaining a competitive drive for the 2014 season rather than a 2013 drive.

FIA World Endurance Championship (2013)

AF Corse

2013 24 Hours of Le Mans 5180 (9118759833)
Kobayashi's Ferrari 458 GT during the 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans

On 11 March 2013 it was confirmed that Kobayashi would drive for AF Corse in the 2013 FIA World Endurance Championship season. He competed in the LMGTE-Pro class in the Ferrari 458 GT for what is expected to be all of the season's eight rounds, including the 2013 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Kobayashi also tested a 2010 Formula One Ferrari in preparation for a promotional event in Moscow, where he crashed in the wet.

In the 81st edition of the 24 Hours of Le Mans 2013, Kobayashi and the AF Corse team scored fifth place in the GTE-Pro class along with his co-drivers Olivier Beretta and Toni Vilander, their Ferrari 458 GT covered a total of 312 laps in the Circuit de la Sarthe. The race was run in very difficult weather conditions and several serious accidents bringing out a record of twelve safety car caution periods.

Return to Formula One (2014)

Caterham (2014)

Kamui Kobayashi 2014 Singapore FP2
Kobayashi at the 2014 Singapore Grand Prix

On 21 January 2014, it was confirmed that Kobayashi would return to Formula One with the Caterham F1 team for the 2014 season partnering Swedish driver Marcus Ericsson after considerable speculation about the team's all new line-up for the new season. At the first race of the season, the Australian Grand Prix, Kobayashi crashed into Massa at the start due to a brake failure. However, in the following Malaysian Grand Prix, he was running as high as eighth, ahead of his teammate, the Marussias, and several other cars. He however finished the race in 13th, promoting Caterham to 10th in the Constructors' standings. However, later in the season Caterham were demoted to 11th due to Jules Bianchi achieving Marussia's first points finish in the Monaco Grand Prix.

On 20 August 2014, it was announced that German driver André Lotterer would replace Kobayashi for the Belgian Grand Prix race weekend. He returned to racing action at the Italian Grand Prix after Lotterer declined a further offer due to the seat being taken in practice by Roberto Merhi, who was attempting to qualify for an FIA Super Licence. Kobayashi declared his unhappiness at the situation, with the team's driver plans changing at short notice and his own future uncertain.

Super Formula (2015–)

Team LeMans (2015–2016)

On 30 January 2015, it was confirmed that Kobayashi would drive for Team LeMans in the 2015 Super Formula season. He scored three podiums on his way to a fifth-place finish in the drivers' championship during his first year in the series.

His second year with Team LeMans was less successful, only managing to score one point and finishing 17th in the championship.

KCMG (2017–)

Kobayashi moved to KCMG at the start of the 2017 season.

Return to FIA World Endurance Championship (2016–)

Toyota Gazoo Racing

Toyota TS050 Kobayashi Silverstone Abbey 2018
Kobayashi driving in the 2018 6 Hours of Silverstone

On 4 February 2016, Kobayashi was confirmed as a LMP1 driver for Toyota Gazoo Racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship.

Kobayashi scored his first WEC race victory at the 2016 6 Hours of Fuji, finishing ahead of the No. 8 Audi and the No. 1 Porsche.

In 2017 he achieved the current lap record at the Circuit de la Sarthe with a lap time of 3:14.791.

Kobayashi won the 2021 24 Hours of Le Mans from pole after numerous attempts, alongside Mike Conway and Jose Maria Lopez. Kobayashi is the fourth Japanese driver to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the first being Masanori Sekiya, and is only the second to do so for a Japanese manufacturer.

In December 2021, Toyota announced that Kobayashi would succeed Hisatake Murata as team principal of the manufacturer's WEC programme, combining the management position with his role as a driver for the team.

NASCAR (2023)

Kamui kobayashi (53167282144)
Kobayashi driving in the Verizon 200 at the Brickyard

On 7 June 2023, it was announced that Kobayashi would make his debut in the NASCAR Cup Series driving the No. 67 Toyota Camry for 23XI Racing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course. At Indy, he finished 33rd.

Personal life

He was named after Kamuy, a divine being in Ainu mythology, and the letter of the name imitated the sound citing three Kanji from the sentence "Enabling great dream(s)".

In April 2013, he was awarded the Outstanding Achievement in Sport Award at The Asian Awards in London.

Racing record

Career summary

Season Series Team Races Wins Poles F/Laps Podiums Points Position
2003 Formula Toyota N/A 10 2 4  ?  ? 120 2nd
2004 Formula Renault 2000 Italy Prema Powerteam 17 2 3 1 3 134 7th
Formula Renault 2000 Germany 2 0 0 0 0 16 31st
Formula Renault 2000 Netherlands  ?  ?  ?  ?  ? 32 15th
Asian Formula Renault Challenge Asia Racing Team 1 0 0  ? 0 16 31st
2005 Eurocup Formula Renault 2.0 Prema Powerteam 16 6 4 4 8 157 1st
Formula Renault 2.0 Italy 15 6 9 8 11 312 1st
2006 Formula 3 Euro Series ASM Formule 3 19 0 0 1 3 34 8th
Macau Grand Prix 1 0 1 0 0 N/A 19th
Masters of Formula 3 1 0 0 0 0 N/A 11th
2007 Formula 3 Euro Series ASM Formule 3 20 1 1 0 7 59 4th
Macau Grand Prix 1 0 0 0 0 N/A 13th
Masters of Formula 3 1 0 0 0 0 N/A NC
Formula One Panasonic Toyota Racing Third driver
2008 GP2 Asia Series DAMS 10 2 0 0 3 22 6th
GP2 Series 20 1 0 2 1 10 16th
Formula One Panasonic Toyota Racing Test/Reserve driver
2008–09 GP2 Asia Series DAMS 11 2 2 3 4 56 1st
2009 GP2 Series DAMS 20 0 0 0 1 13 16th
Formula One Panasonic Toyota Racing 2 0 0 0 0 3 18th
2010 Formula One BMW Sauber F1 Team 19 0 0 0 0 32 12th
2011 Formula One Sauber F1 Team 19 0 0 0 0 30 12th
2012 Formula One Sauber F1 Team 20 0 0 1 1 60 12th
2013 FIA World Endurance Championship - LMGTE Pro AF Corse 8 0 0 2 4 98 7th
24 Hours of Le Mans - LMGTE Pro 1 0 0 0 0 N/A 5th
2014 Formula One Caterham F1 Team 16 0 0 0 0 0 22nd
2015 Super Formula Kygnus Sunoco Team LeMans 8 0 0 0 3 20 5th
2016 FIA World Endurance Championship Toyota Gazoo Racing 9 1 0 1 6 145 3rd
24 Hours of Le Mans 1 0 0 1 1 N/A 2nd
Super Formula Sunoco Team LeMans 9 0 0 2 0 1 17th
2017 FIA World Endurance Championship Toyota Gazoo Racing 9 0 4 1 3 103.5 5th
24 Hours of Le Mans 1 0 1 0 0 N/A DNF
Super Formula KCMG 7 0 0 1 1 16.5 7th
Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup Good Smile Racing with Team UKYO 1 0 0 0 0 0 NC
Intercontinental GT Challenge 1 0 0 0 0 0 NC
Super GT Lexus Team WedsSport Bandoh 1 0 0 0 0 10 17th
2017–18 Formula E MS&AD Andretti Formula E 2 0 0 0 0 0 24th
2018 Super GT Lexus Team SARD 7 1 0 0 1 27 13th
Super Formula carrozzeria Team KCMG 5 0 0 1 1 11 10th
24 Hours of Le Mans Toyota Gazoo Racing 1 0 0 0 1 N/A 2nd
2018–19 FIA World Endurance Championship Toyota Gazoo Racing 8 2 4 2 6 157 2nd
2019 Super Formula carrozzeria Team KCMG 7 0 0 1 2 19 6th
IMSA SportsCar Championship - DPi Konica Minolta Cadillac 1 1 0 0 1 35 27th
24 Hours of Le Mans Toyota Gazoo Racing 1 0 1 0 1 N/A 2nd
Intercontinental GT Challenge Mercedes-AMG Team GOOD SMILE 1 0 0 0 0 1 25th
2019–20 FIA World Endurance Championship Toyota Gazoo Racing 8 4 3 1 8 207 1st
2020 Super Formula carrozzeria Team KCMG 5 0 0 1 0 8 16th
IMSA SportsCar Championship - DPi Konica Minolta Cadillac 1 1 0 1 1 35 23rd
GT World Challenge Europe Endurance Cup HubAuto Corsa 1 0 0 0 0 0 NC
Intercontinental GT Challenge 1 0 0 0 0 0 NC
24 Hours of Le Mans Toyota Gazoo Racing 1 0 1 0 1 N/A 3rd
2021 FIA World Endurance Championship - Hypercar Toyota Gazoo Racing 6 3 4 0 6 173 1st
24 Hours of Le Mans - Hypercar 1 1 1 0 1 N/A 1st
IMSA SportsCar Championship - DPi Ally Cadillac Racing 4 0 0 0 1 1203 12th
Super Formula carrozzeria Team KCMG 1 0 0 0 0 1 20th
Super Taikyū - ST-Q ORC ROOKIE Racing 1 0 0 0 0 N/A NC
2022 FIA World Endurance Championship - Hypercar Toyota Gazoo Racing 6 2 1 1 5 133 3rd
24 Hours of Le Mans - Hypercar 1 0 0 1 1 N/A 2nd
IMSA SportsCar Championship - DPi Ally Cadillac 4 0 0 0 1 1146 11th
IMSA SportsCar Championship - GTD Pro Vasser Sullivan Racing 1 0 0 0 0 276 28th
Super Formula KCMG 10 0 0 0 0 9 17th
2023 FIA World Endurance Championship - Hypercar Toyota Gazoo Racing 7 4 3 4 5 145 2nd
24 Hours of Le Mans - Hypercar 1 0 0 0 0 N/A DNF
Super Formula Kids com Team KCMG 9 0 0 0 0 17.5 11th
NASCAR Cup Series 23XI Racing 1 0 0 0 0 0 63rd
2023 FIA World Endurance Championship - Hypercar Toyota Gazoo Racing
Super Formula Kids com Team KCMG

* Season still in progress.

Complete Formula 3 Euro Series record

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Pos Points
2006 ASM Formule 3 Dallara F305/012 Mercedes HOC
1

6
HOC
2

5
LAU
1
11
LAU
2
10
OSC
1
11
OSC
2
7
BRH
1
6
BRH
2
3
NOR
1
5
NOR
2
2
NÜR
1

8
NÜR
2

3
ZAN
1
5
ZAN
2
Ret
CAT
1

5
CAT
2

Ret
BUG
1
DNS
BUG
2
14
HOC
1

Ret
HOC
2

9
8th 34
2007 ASM Formule 3 Dallara F305/012 Mercedes HOC
1

10
HOC
2

10
BRH
1
3
BRH
2
3
NOR
1
8
NOR
2
Ret
MAG
1

1
MAG
2

9
MUG
1
2
MUG
2
4
ZAN
1
2
ZAN
2
17
NÜR
1

11
NÜR
2

Ret
CAT
1

19
CAT
2

Ret
NOG
1
2
NOG
2
2
HOC
1

4
HOC
2

Ret
4th 59

Complete Macau Grand Prix results

Year Team Car Qualifying Quali Race Main race
2006 France ASM Formule 3 Dallara F305 1st 1st 19th
2007 France ASM Formule 3 Dallara F305 7th DNF 13th

Complete GP2 Series results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 DC Points
2008 DAMS CAT
FEA
8
CAT
SPR

1
IST
FEA
Ret
IST
SPR
9
MON
FEA
Ret
MON
SPR
18
MAG
FEA
Ret
MAG
SPR

9
SIL
FEA
Ret
SIL
SPR
7
HOC
FEA
Ret
HOC
SPR
18
HUN
FEA
11
HUN
SPR
8
VAL
FEA
Ret
VAL
SPR
6
SPA
FEA
9
SPA
SPR
14
MNZ
FEA
Ret
MNZ
SPR
13
16th 10
2009 DAMS CAT
FEA
8
CAT
SPR
5
MON
FEA
Ret
MON
SPR
12
IST
FEA
Ret
IST
SPR
NC
SIL
FEA
Ret
SIL
SPR
17
NÜR
FEA
9
NÜR
SPR
3
HUN
FEA
13
HUN
SPR
8
VAL
FEA
8
VAL
SPR
11
SPA
FEA
7
SPA
SPR
11
MNZ
FEA
17
MNZ
SPR
17†
ALG
FEA
6
ALG
SPR
19
16th 13

Complete GP2 Asia Series results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 DC Points
2008 DAMS DUB1
FEA
13
DUB1
SPR
Ret
SEN
FEA
Ret
SEN
SPR
15
SEP
FEA
5
SEP
SPR
1
BHR
FEA
3
BHR
SPR
1
DUB2
FEA
20
DUB2
SPR
14
6th 22
2008–09 DAMS SHI
FEA

2
SHI
SPR
Ret
DUB
FEA

1
DUB
SPR
C
BHR1
FEA

1
BHR1
SPR
6
LSL
FEA
4
LSL
SPR
18
SEP
FEA
2
SEP
SPR
7
BHR2
FEA

4
BHR2
SPR
5
1st 56

Complete Formula One results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 WDC Points
2009 Panasonic Toyota Racing Toyota TF109 Toyota RVX-09 2.4 V8 AUS MAL CHN BHR ESP MON TUR GBR GER HUN EUR BEL ITA SIN JPN
PO
BRA
9
ABU
6
18th 3
2010 BMW Sauber F1 Team Sauber C29 Ferrari 056 2.4 V8 BHR
Ret
AUS
Ret
MAL
Ret
CHN
Ret
ESP
12
MON
Ret
TUR
10
CAN
Ret
EUR
7
GBR
6
GER
11
HUN
9
BEL
8
ITA
Ret
SIN
Ret
JPN
7
KOR
8
BRA
10
ABU
14
12th 32
2011 Sauber F1 Team Sauber C30 Ferrari 056 2.4 V8 AUS
DSQ
MAL
7
CHN
10
TUR
10
ESP
10
MON
5
CAN
7
EUR
16
GBR
Ret
GER
9
HUN
11
BEL
12
ITA
Ret
SIN
14
JPN
13
KOR
15
IND
Ret
ABU
10
BRA
9
12th 30
2012 Sauber F1 Team Sauber C31 Ferrari 056 2.4 V8 AUS
6
MAL
Ret
CHN
10
BHR
13
ESP
5
MON
Ret
CAN
9
EUR
Ret
GBR
11
GER
4
HUN
18†
BEL
13
ITA
9
SIN
13
JPN
3
KOR
Ret
IND
14
ABU
6
USA
14
BRA
9
12th 60
2014 Caterham F1 Team Caterham CT05 Renault Energy F1‑2014 1.6 V6 t AUS
Ret
MAL
13
BHR
15
CHN
18
ESP
Ret
MON
13
CAN
Ret
AUT
16
GBR
15
GER
16
HUN
Ret
BEL ITA
17
SIN
DNS
JPN
19
RUS
Ret
USA BRA ABU
Ret
22nd 0

Did not finish the race, but was classified as he completed over 90% of the race distance.

Complete FIA World Endurance Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant Class Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Rank Points
2013 AF Corse LMGTE Pro Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 Ferrari F142 4.5L V8 SIL
2
SPA
3
LMS
4
SÃO
Ret
COA
3
FUJ
9
SHA
5
BHR
3
7th 98
2016 Toyota Gazoo Racing LMP1 Toyota TS050 Hybrid Toyota 2.4 L Turbo V6 (Hybrid) SIL
2
SPA
Ret
LMS
2
NÜR
6
MEX
3
COA
3
FUJ
1
SHA
2
BHR
5
3rd 145
2017 Toyota Gazoo Racing LMP1 Toyota TS050 Hybrid Toyota 2.4 L Turbo V6 (Hybrid) SIL
13
SPA
2
LMS
Ret
NÜR
3
MEX
4
COA
4
FUJ
2
SHA
4
BHR
4
5th 103.5
2018–19 Toyota Gazoo Racing LMP1 Toyota TS050 Hybrid Toyota 2.4 L Turbo V6 (Hybrid) SPA
2
LMS
2
SIL
DSQ
FUJ
1
SHA
1
SEB
2
SPA
6
LMS
2
2nd 157
2019–20 Toyota Gazoo Racing LMP1 Toyota TS050 Hybrid Toyota 2.4 L Turbo V6 (Hybrid) SIL
1
FUJ
2
SHA
3
BHR
1
COA
3
SPA
1
LMS
3
BHR
1
1st 207
2021 Toyota Gazoo Racing Hypercar Toyota GR010 Hybrid Toyota 3.5 L Turbo V6 (Hybrid) SPA
3
ALG
2
MNZ
1
LMS
1
BHR
1
BHR
2
1st 173
2022 Toyota Gazoo Racing Hypercar Toyota GR010 Hybrid Toyota 3.5 L Turbo V6 (Hybrid) SEB
Ret
SPA
1
LMS
2
MNZ
3
FUJ
2
BHR
1
3rd 133
2023 Toyota Gazoo Racing Hypercar Toyota GR010 Hybrid Toyota 3.5 L Turbo V6 (Hybrid) SEB
1
ALG
9
SPA
1
LMS
Ret
MNZ
1
FUJ
1
BHR
2
2nd 145
2024 Toyota Gazoo Racing Hypercar Toyota GR010 Hybrid Toyota 3.5 L Turbo V6 (Hybrid) QAT IMO SPA LMS SAP COA FUJ BHR -* -*

Complete 24 Hours of Le Mans results

Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps Pos. Class
Pos.
2013 Italy AF Corse Finland Toni Vilander
Monaco Olivier Beretta
Ferrari 458 Italia GT GTE
Pro
312 20th 5th
2016 Japan Toyota Gazoo Racing United Kingdom Mike Conway
France Stéphane Sarrazin
Toyota TS050 Hybrid LMP1 381 2nd 2nd
2017 Japan Toyota Gazoo Racing United Kingdom Mike Conway
France Stéphane Sarrazin
Toyota TS050 Hybrid LMP1 154 DNF DNF
2018 Japan Toyota Gazoo Racing United Kingdom Mike Conway
Argentina José María López
Toyota TS050 Hybrid LMP1 386 2nd 2nd
2019 Japan Toyota Gazoo Racing United Kingdom Mike Conway
Argentina José María López
Toyota TS050 Hybrid LMP1 385 2nd 2nd
2020 Japan Toyota Gazoo Racing United Kingdom Mike Conway
Argentina José María López
Toyota TS050 Hybrid LMP1 381 3rd 3rd
2021 Japan Toyota Gazoo Racing United Kingdom Mike Conway
Argentina José María López
Toyota GR010 Hybrid LMH 371 1st 1st
2022 Japan Toyota Gazoo Racing United Kingdom Mike Conway
Argentina José María López
Toyota GR010 Hybrid LMH 380 2nd 2nd
2023 Japan Toyota Gazoo Racing United Kingdom Mike Conway
Argentina José María López
Toyota GR010 Hybrid LMH 103 DNF DNF

Complete Super Formula results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 DC Points
2015 Kygnus Sunoco Team LeMans SUZ
9
OKA
2
FUJ
10
MOT
17
AUT
3
SUG
6
SUZ
3
SUZ
9
6th 20
2016 Sunoco Team LeMans SUZ
16
OKA
18
FUJ
10
MOT
9
OKA
18
OKA
17
SUG
17
SUZ
9
SUZ
7
17th 1
2017 KCMG SUZ
9
OKA
4
OKA
5
FUJ
15
MOT
2
AUT
7
SUG
7
SUZ
C
SUZ
C
7th 16.5
2018 carrozzeria Team KCMG SUZ
10
AUT
C
SUG
6
FUJ
12
MOT OKA
2‡
SUZ
13
10th 11
2019 carrozzeria Team KCMG SUZ
9
AUT
10
SUG
2
FUJ
6
MOT
2
OKA
18
SUZ
12
6th 19
2020 carrozzeria Team KCMG MOT
14
OKA SUG
14
AUT SUZ
4
SUZ
15
FUJ
11
16th 8
2021 carrozzeria Team KCMG FUJ SUZ AUT SUG MOT MOT
10
SUZ 20th 1
2022 KCMG FUJ
18
FUJ
9
SUZ
5
AUT
Ret
SUG
17
FUJ
14
MOT
14
MOT
17
SUZ
18
SUZ
10
17th 9
2023 Kids com Team KCMG FUJ
Ret
FUJ
6
SUZ
14
AUT
11
SUG
6
FUJ
9
MOT
7
SUZ
8‡
SUZ
17
11th 17.5

Half points awarded as less than 75% of race distance was completed.

Complete Super GT results

Year Team Car Class 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 DC Points
2017 Lexus Team WedsSport Bandoh Lexus LC 500 GT500 OKA FUJ AUT SUG FUJ SUZ
4
CHA MOT 17th 10
2018 Lexus Team SARD Lexus LC 500 GT500 OKA
12
FUJ SUZ
Ret
CHA
1
FUJ
11
SUG
10
AUT
8
MOT
8
13th 27

Complete Formula E results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Team Chassis Powertrain 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Pos Points
2017–18 MS&AD Andretti Formula E Spark SRT01-e Andretti ATEC-03 HKG
15
HKG
17
MRK SCL MEX PDE RME PAR BER ZUR NYC NYC 24th 0

Complete IMSA SportsCar Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

Year Team No. Class Make Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Rank Points
2019 Konica Minolta Cadillac 10 DPi Cadillac DPi-V.R Cadillac 5.5 L V8 DAY
1
SEB LBH MDO DET WGL MOS ELK LGA PET 27th 35
2020 Konica Minolta Cadillac 10 DPi Cadillac DPi-V.R Cadillac 5.5 L V8 DAY
1
DAY SEB ELK ATL MDO PET LGA SEB 23rd 35
2021 Ally Cadillac Racing 48 DPi Cadillac DPi-V.R Cadillac 5.5 L V8 DAY
2
SEB
7
MDO DET WGL
5
WGL ELK LGA LBH PET
4
12th 1203
2022 Ally Cadillac 48 DPi Cadillac DPi-V.R Cadillac 5.5 L V8 DAY
5
SEB
6
LBH LGA MDO DET WGL
6
PET
3
11th 1146
VasserSullivan 14 GTD Pro Lexus RC F GT3 Toyota 2UR 5.0 L V8 MOS
6
LIM ELK VIR 28th 276

24 Hours of Daytona results

Year Team Co-Drivers Car Class Laps Pos. Class
Pos.
2019 United States Konica Minolta Cadillac Netherlands Renger van der Zande
United States Jordan Taylor
Spain Fernando Alonso
Cadillac DPi-V.R DPi 593 1st 1st
2020 United States Konica Minolta Cadillac Netherlands Renger van der Zande
Australia Ryan Briscoe
New Zealand Scott Dixon
Cadillac DPi-V.R DPi 833 1st 1st
2021 United States Ally Cadillac Racing United States Jimmie Johnson
France Simon Pagenaud
Germany Mike Rockenfeller
Cadillac DPi-V.R DPi 807 2nd 2nd
2022 United States Ally Cadillac Racing United States Jimmie Johnson
Argentina José María López
Germany Mike Rockenfeller
Cadillac DPi-V.R DPi 739 11th 5th

NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Cup Series

NASCAR Cup Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 NCSC Pts Ref
2023 23XI Racing 67 Toyota DAY CAL LVS PHO ATL COA RCH BRD MAR TAL DOV KAN DAR CLT GTW SON NSH CSC ATL NHA POC RCH MCH IRC
33
GLN DAY DAR KAN BRI TEX TAL ROV LVS HOM MAR PHO 63rd 01

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Kamui Kobayashi para niños

kids search engine
Kamui Kobayashi Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.