Kamui Kobayashi began racing in karts at age nine. At seventeen, he began his open-wheel car, joining Toyota’s driver academy. He worked his way up the Formula ladder, winning in GP2. In 2007 he would become the reserve driver for Toyota’s F1 program. He made his debut in 2009 at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, finishing sixth and scoring his first points in Formula One.
Toyota would withdraw from F1 at the end of 2009, and Kobayashi would move to Sauber, where he would race for three seasons. Trying something new in 2013, he would compete in his first 24 hours of Le Mans, driving a Ferarri 458-GTE and finishing fifth in class. Returning to F1 in 2014, he would make starts for Caterham, but would not finish the season. In 2015, he would race in Super Formula, and in 2016 join Toyota Gazoo Racing in the WEC. In 2024, he will compete for both series titles.
