Kamui Kobayashi He competes for Toyota Gazoo Racing within the FIA World Cup for 9 years, profitable the championship twice. He can be behind the wheel for the workforce at Toolnergies 6 hours of Spa-Franchap on Saturday.
And since 2022 he has additionally been the director of the workforce. Whereas workforce leaders comparable to Toto Wolf of Mercedes and Christian Horner of Crimson Bull in Components 1 appeared as drivers, Kobayashi is a uncommon double function in such a excessive -profile workforce.
“I used to be clearly fairly stunned, as I did not count on it,” Kobayashi stated he was provided the function. “I’m proud and recognize the chance. It’s actually not straightforward to do issues collectively on the identical time, however on the finish of the day I tailored and go nicely. I cannot do every part, now we have many guys within the workforce.
“I am nonetheless enthusiastic about driving as quick vehicles as I can,” he stated, joking that he simply wants further time day by day.
“As an alternative of sitting and ingesting espresso, you’ve an additional date, however on the finish of the day it is a part of the work and I prefer it,” he stated. “After you activate so many individuals and need to determine one factor, the accountability is larger; it’s not straightforward.”
Beneath Kobayashi, one of many three drivers of the automobile No. 7, the sister No. 8 crew gained the championship of drivers in 2022 and 2023, with No. 7 making it one or two in 2023. Toyota gained the producers’ championship in 2022, 2023 and 2024.
Sébastien Buemi has been competing with a automobile # 8 since 2012, taking two of its 4 drivers below the management of Kobayashi, whom he has recognized since he competed in Components 3 in 2005.
“I’ve the sensation that he did not change a lot,” Boey advised Kobayashi. “He was already very engaged within the Japanese facet of the corporate and tried to have sturdy communication within the firm. It’s true that typically we see that there’s a lot of labor, he has to go to the observe earlier or keep later and see that we’re working laborious – we have no idea every part he does – however I feel he has clearly been confirmed.
The bottom of the workforce is in Cologne, Germany, however the workforce additionally has operations and technological improvement in Japan. Bohey stated he believed {that a} Kobayashi-Toyota driver, who competes in 76 Grands Prix in Components 1, introduced higher cohesion between the nations, bringing collectively completely different cultures and work practices. It additionally promotes extra consideration to the small print of the championship, the place eight producers are actually competing.
“I feel that is an evolution, however it’s attempting to strengthen communication between drivers and administration and engineers, and now we have a great construction,” Boey stated. “We have been round for a very long time so I do not assume there’s one thing we’re doing very fallacious however for my part he improved the connection – I would not say We’re made out of earlier than -but works higher, places some oil within the constructions, he understands each restrictions. The presence of six drivers will not be straightforward, many individuals now we have to take care of, however I feel now we have accomplished significantly better work in speaking and extracting small particulars. “
Fad de vris was a Toyota take a look at driver from 2020 to 2022, earlier than becoming a member of the workforce in 2024 after a keep in Components 1. He competes with Kobayashi within the automobile No. 7.
“I keep in mind watching Camui once I was greater than a jelly; I used to be carding and he was in Components 1,” De vies He stated. “My sister was a fan of Camui, grown up, we had a T -shirt from him, and I actually keep in mind the race he stood on the rostrum within the Japanese Grand Prix.”
He added that it was an honor for me to be his teammate, “Much more so for every part he has achieved as a driver, and what he did in his profession, the tough velocity and expertise he has, not essentially he’s the boss.”
The opposite drivers stated Kobayashi didn’t obtain particular remedy after being behind the wheel.
“I share the automobile with the boss,” De Vris stated. “I feel that as teammates I do not really feel this hierarchy in any respect. I really feel that we’re all very similar and work collectively to realize the very best outcomes as a workforce and for the workforce. We’re all in it for a similar targets and targets.”
Bohey recalled a contest in Bahrain in 2024, when Kobayashi prioritized the opposite automobile over his personal.
“They have been nonetheless combating for the championship,” he stated, “however that they had an issue of their automobile, and he was one of many first to say,” Okay, let’s simply park CAR 7, be certain we get probably the most out of the automobile 8 as we’re out of dispute. ” I am unsure everybody would do that on this state of affairs, particularly if you find yourself combating for the World Cup.
“Anybody would count on issues to go extra to his benefit,” stated Bohey, “however I’ve by no means seen any distinction – you see the enjoyment he has when Automobile 8 does nicely.”
Kobayashi continues to be competing in Tremendous Components and has been engaged in NASCAR and IMSA Weathertech Championship, believing that such experiences can assist his twin function in WEC, he additionally desires to make sure that he’s simply one of many workforce.
“I benefit from the time with the opposite drivers,” he stated. “In fact, I’ve a bit extra further jobs, however I do related actions, we benefit from the time, we’re kidding collectively – you’ll be able to ask the opposite guys – however I do not assume I am doing one thing particular.”
