What does the future hold for Kobayashi after 2012?
Unable to be the leader Sauber hoped for, Kamui Kobayashi sees his future darkening within the Swiss team. The question of a possible replacement as early as 2013 is even beginning to gain traction.
Kamui Kobayashi made his F1 debut in 2009 with the Toyota team, replacing the injured Timo Glock. During the two races he competed in, the Japanese driver impressed, which allowed him to secure a full-time seat with the Sauber team for the 2010 season.
Despite some flashes of brilliance—particularly in the art of overtaking—the Japanese driver struggles to meet the expectations placed on him. He was supposed to be the leader of the Sauber team this year, as he has more experience than his teammate Sergio Pérez. But the Mexican has clearly taken the lead this season, securing two podiums against none for Kobayashi.
Kamui Kobayashi has never tasted the podium in his F1 career, his best result being two 5th places, achieved in Monaco in 2011 and in Spain this season. Even though he regularly scores points this year, 4 times in 9 Grand Prix, the Japanese driver makes mistakes that do not go unnoticed, the latest being his too-late braking in the pits at Silverstone. He hit and knocked down several of his mechanics, receiving a fine of 25,000 euros.
The Swiss journalist Roger Benoit recently suggested that the Sauber team has no future with its pair of drivers, and if the results do not improve, Kamui Kobayashi’s position seems threatened, as there is no shortage of contenders.
According to the Finnish newspaper Turun Sanomat, Heikki Kovalainen could be a candidate to succeed Kamui Kobayashi, but the Caterham driver is not the only contender. Jaime Alguersuari and Adrian Sutil are also eyeing the seat of the only Japanese driver on the Formula 1 grid.
