ABU DHABI: Japanese Kanui Kobayashi is set to realise one of his dreams in the next few weeks if he is confirmed, as is widely expected, as a Toyota driver next season.
The 23-year-old pilot, who has lived in Paris for four years, finished sixth in Sunday's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after starting from 12th place on the grid.
His Toyota teammate veteran Italian Jarno Trulli finished seventh.
The performance of Kobayashi, both in Brazil two weeks ago and in Abu Dhabi, impressed many observers, not least the Toyota team boss John Howett.
"I am very impressed," he said. "We were very happy again. What we like is his real fighting spirit. He is not intimidated by anybody. It's very positive."
Kobayashi races with a warrior-like aggression, which caused consternation in Sao Paulo as he battled with many more experienced drivers in a race that attracted much attention.
"I hope so," he said, when asked if he wished to stay at Toyota, after deputising for the injured German Timo Glock.
"That is what I want. I enjoyed myself here a lot, every day, on this track and in this car. I wanted to do my best, but to stay cool this time.
"In Brazil, two weeks ago, I did a lot of aggressive driving and everyone was talking about me. I didn't want the same this time."
His precise passing move on new world champion Briton Jenson Button was one of the highlights of the race -- to his clear enjoyment and Button's embarrassment.
His one-stop strategy in the race almost elevated him to within striking distance of a place on the podium.
"I was thinking of that, of a podium, when my engineer told me about it, but then my prime tyres were not so good. It was a pity," he explained. "Maybe next time.!" -- AFP