Kamui Kobayashi will race with the Caterham F1 Team in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after administrators confirmed the teams’ presence in the desert this weekend.
The Japanese driver, who has raced for the team in fifteen of the sixteen races the team have raced in during 2014, and will rejoin the team as they return from their enforced two-race absence after being forced into administration following the Russian Grand Prix.
“I am happy to be racing with the team in Abu Dhabi,” said Kobayashi. “It hasn’t been an easy last few weeks, so it will be nice to be back to in the car and work together with the Caterham F1 team members.
“I would like to thank the fans for supporting the team like they have. This team is working hard and never gives up. We deserve to be racing in Abu Dhabi and I am very glad we can race again thanks to the crowdfunding Project.
“Now it is our turn to show what we can do – we will all try our best during the weekend ahead and hopefully we can end the season with a positive result for the future of this team.”
Finbarr O’Connell, joint administrator of Smith and Williamson, was happy to confirm Kobayashi in the team for the finale of the Formula 1 season, and feels the Japanese driver is an ideal driver to have in the team as they aim to seek salvation and to save their F1 future.
“The team are delighted to have Kamui on board for the race weekend in Abu Dhabi,” said O’Connell. “The Team commented that Kamui is a highly talented racing driver and he should be in a race car – that’s where he belongs.
“After the recent period of uncertainty for CaterhamF1, the Team are delighted, as part of its Restructuring Plan, to be able to showcase the cars again and what better way than with world renowned drivers like Kamui.”
Kobayashi’s team-mate at Caterham for Abu Dhabi has yet to be announced, with regular 2014 driver Marcus Ericsson having already confirmed his departure from the team ahead of his move to the Sauber F1 Team in 2015. Both Roberto Merhi and Max Chilton have been linked to the drive in recent days.
