• Japanese Grand Prix

Kobayashi labels podium 'destiny'

Kamui Kobayashi's first podium comes amid uncertainty over his future with Sauber © Press Association

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• Race:
• Japanese Grand Prix

• Drivers:
• Kamui Kobayashi

• Teams:
• Alfa Romeo

Kamui Kobayashi revealed he felt before the race it would be 'destiny' if he were to secure his first podium at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Kobayashi's third place at Suzuka was the first podium of his career, and came after a season where he has started second once and third once but failed to finish higher than tenth on each occasion. Kobayashi described his first top three finish as "amazing" and thanked the Japanese fans for their support at Suzuka.

"Finally we've finished at this point, of course being on the podium is fantastic," Kobayashi said. "Especially at my home grand prix getting my first podium, that's amazing. I was joking before the race that I've had a couple of chances to get on the podium but I've never had luck and I couldn't get it, but if I get the podium at this race maybe it's destiny. So I'm very happy for the fans, and I had so many supporting me when I look at the crowd around the circuit. It's amazing so I have to really thank the fans."

Kobayashi also revealed that he was confident he would secure a top three finish as soon as he exited turn two in second place.

"It was a fantastic race, we were really working hard to get the podium. My team-mate has a couple of podiums already, but myself I had a couple of chances after having a good position to start but always I have never had the luck; I've struggled at the start and many stuff. But this time the feeling was good because we had a long run on the Friday and that was a pretty good pace, so we had a good confidence for this week. So when I gained a position to second after the start I was pretty sure of being on the podium."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.