Long time Toyota protégé Kamui Kobayashi got his Formula One testing break with the Japanese team in 2008. Kobayashi started his race career in karting in Japan before joining the Toyota Young Drivers Programme and moving to the Italian and German Formula Renault championships.

Success followed in 2005 in Formula Renault Eurocup and the Italian Formula Renault championship. A move to the Formula 3 Euroseries saw Kobayashi finish in eighth position in 2006 and then fourth the following season with one victory.

After years of investment from Toyota, Kobayashi continued his learning curve, this time with Formula One machinery in 2008 while also competing in GP2.

The Asia series saw the Japanese racer finish in sixth position after recording two wins; he remained with the Dams team for the main series and finished in 16th position overall.

Rapid on occasion but erratic more frequently, Kobayashi remains in GP2 in 2009 with Dams and continues his test role with the Toyota team in Formula One.