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Kobayashi hopeful of 2010 seat

ESPNF1 Staff
November 6, 2009 « Chandhok bullish after F1 snub | »
Kobayashi remains optimistic about securing a contract for 2010 © Sutton Images
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Kamui Kobayashi is hopeful of securing a drive at new team Lotus for next season. The rookie driver impressed in his first two races for Toyota at the end of the season but the constructor's withdrawal was a setback for his hopes of securing a seat for 2010.

Kobayashi has said he will have to return to Japan if he fails to secure an F1 seat, but he is not yet booking his flight back to his father's sushi restaurant, and remains hopeful of securing his future.

"Obviously, my place at Toyota is lost," he said. "I was close to signing a contract for 2010, but there are four new teams and still options. If I could choose a team I would choose Lotus."

He also revealed that Toyota has offered to assist both him and Kazuki Nakajima find alternate employment for 2010.

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