Kamui Kobayashi will remain at Sauber for the 2011 season, the Swiss based team announced today.
The rookie joined the team at the start of the season after coming to the attention of the Formula One world when he filled in for Timo Glock at the Brazilian and Abu Dhabi GP’s.
A brief statement released by the team confirmed his appointment for 2011, having impressed so far this season, with 21 points from 13 races compared to his team-mates six.
“We enjoy having our rookie as part of the team – both as a driver and a person,” said team principal Peter Sauber. “We never had any doubts about working with him again in 2011.
“Kamui has definitely fulfilled our expectations in terms of his speed and fighting spirit. Plus, his work with the engineers and his technical understanding has also developed very well.
“The experience he has built up over his first full season in Formula One will certainly stand him in good stead for 2011. And our aim is to give him a fast and reliable car from the outset next season.”
The Japanese driver says he is pleased to retain his seat, but his thoughts are still focused on the curren season and the final six races.
“We had a very difficult start to the season, but we’ve worked together to pull ourselves out of that situation. I feel very much at home in Peter Sauber’s team and am very pleased we’ll be working together again in 2011,” said Kobayashi.
“However, for now I’m focusing one-hundred per cent on this year. There are still six grand prix weekends to go in 2010, and we’ll be hoping to make up more ground,” he concluded.
Meanwhile an announcement on his team-mate for next season is yet to be made, with Pedro de la Rosa likely to be replaced.
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