Kamui Kobayashi, a former Formula 1 pilot, opens up to a possible return to NASCAR, leaving the door wide open to future opportunities in this sport.
With a rich career in the field of mechanical sports, ranging from Formula 1 to the World Endurance Championship, Kobayashi entered the world of stock cars in 2023. His departure was held on the Indianapolis circuit, where he led for the 23Xi Racing team, supported by Toyota.
The Kobayashi track record is varied, including participation in racing series such as Formula 1, the World Endurance Championship, the Super Formula and the Formula E.
Among his striking achievements, there is a podium in Formula 1 and a victory at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
In Nascar, Kobayashi had to face a steep learning curve. During his first race, he started from the 28th position to finish 33rd, due to several incidents during the race. However, he was not discouraged and participated in a second race at the Americas circuit in March 2024, finishing 29th.
His involvement in NASCAR is supported by the 23xi Racing team, co-directed by the legend of basketball Michael Jordan and the experienced Nascar Denny Hamlin pilot. This partnership coincides with Kobayashi's long -standing relationship with Toyota Gazoo Racing.
Despite his commitments in other races, Kobayashi recently expressed his desire to try the race on oval circuit within the NASCAR. He told Dalton Hopkins, reporter for FrontStretch:
-“I want to participate in a race on oval at some point. Not yet for the moment. We have several in progress projects, and I think that if I have the opportunity, I will do it, of course. ”
The Kobayashi program for 2025 turns out to be loaded with its active roles in the World Endurance Championship and the Super Formula. These current commitments make it difficult to envisage a return to NASCAR this year. He added:
“But for the moment, we will be very busy, more than last year, so I think it will be complicated to achieve this this year, but if in the future … if I have an opportunity, I will do it. »
Despite difficult beginnings, his desire to return to NASCAR could breathe new life into sport and contribute to expanding its world scope, especially in Japan, a market historically linked to NASCAR through exhibition races organized at the end of 1990s.
If Kobayashi returns to Nascar, this could coincide with the expansion of 23Xi Racing.
