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Kobayashi hoping for swift F1 return

ESPN Staff
July 22, 2013 « Pirelli feels criticism 'very unjustified' | Raikkonen confident of more victories »
Kamui Kobayashi races for Ferrari in the World Endurance Championship this season © Getty Images
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Kamui Kobayashi says he is aiming for a return to Formula One next season but admits attitudes need to change to help him.

After three full seasons with Sauber, Kobayashi's Formula One career was put on hold at the end of last season when he lost his seat as the team chose to field Nico Hulkenberg and Esteban Gutierrez despite 2012 being his most competitive season to date. Gutierrez got the seat to continue Sauber's links with its Mexican partners after Sergio Perez's departure and Kobayashi admits he needs the tradition of choosing drivers for financial reasons to change if he is to return.

"At the moment, there are many teams who prefer to choose their drivers based on how much money they can bring, rather than on their ability on track," Kobayashi told the official Ferrari website. "I hope this trend will change, because my aim is to be back there as soon as possible and I am working hard to succeed.

"Meanwhile, all I can do is give my all to Ferrari in the GT races and be available to the team for whatever they want me to do, such as events like this [Moscow City Racing], or when they ask me to help with the development of the car by working on the simulator."

Kobayashi's weekend with Ferrari in Moscow did not go smoothly, however, as he crashed an F60 in wet conditions.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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