Kobayashi joins Scuderia Ferrari

Formula One refugee Kamui Kobayashi has landed himself a drive for the 2013 season, and it’s with one of the biggest names of them all – Ferrari.

Unfortunately it’s not a drive in F1, but instead a role in the Scuderia’s GT racing squad alongside another F1-refugee, Giancarlo Fisichella.

Kobayashi, who competed in 60 Grands Prix, finishing on the podium in the 2012 Japanese Grand Prix, will become the first Asian driver to drive for Scuderia Ferrari.

He will make his debut at the Silverstone 6 Hours on 14th April, racing a 458 Italia in the GTE class.

The AF Corse Ferrari team had a successful 2012 campaign, winning the WEC GT constructors’ championship, while drivers Giancarlo Fisichella, Gianmaria Bruni and Toni Vilander also secured victory in the Le Mans 24 Hours.

Despite the disappointment of being dropped by his Sauber F1 team at the end of 2012, Kamiu is delighted with his new role, It’s an honour for me to become part of the Ferrari family. It will be the first time that I compete in endurance races in a championship featuring GT cars.”

“I can’t wait to start working with AF Corse and I really hope I can aim for the title, along with my team-mates. I will work hard and give my all in this new chapter in my career, knowing I can count on the support of all my fans. I would like to thank Ferrari for this opportunity and, finally, would like to dedicate this season’s new adventure to everyone in Japan, who on this very day, commemorate the second anniversary of the devastating earthquake that hit our country.”

Kamui was born in 1986 in Amagasaki and made his Formula 1 debut on 18 October 2009 for Toyota, in his home race, in Japan. Driving for Toyota and Sauber, Kobayashi took part in 60 Grands Prix, scoring a total of 125 points.