| Kamui Kobayashi will replace France's Franck | | | | have dreamed of reaching Formula 1 and to have |
| Montagny as Toyota's test and reserve driver | | | | the chance to join Panasonic Toyota Racing as |
| next season, the Formula One team said on | | | | third driver is a fantastic opportunity for me." |
| Friday. After his final test in Barcelona, Montagny | | | | "My first tests for the team last winter went well |
| said farewell to the Toyota team. | | | | but I still have things to learn about Formula 1 and |
| The 21-year-old Japanese has been backed by | | | | it will be a great experience for me to test more |
| Toyota since 2001 as part of the company's | | | | regularly for the team. The role of third driver is |
| young driver programme. Kobayashi is a product | | | | very important as I will be helping a lot with the |
| of Toyota's TDP scheme which is aimed at honing | | | | development of the car throughout the year. I |
| young drivers. | | | | am sure I will learn a lot about Formula 1 cars and |
| "He (Kobayashi) tested the car last winter and | | | | hopefully this will help me in my future career but |
| showed he had the potential to drive in Formula | | | | for now I am focused on helping the team move |
| One in the future," said Toyota head honcho | | | | forward," the Japanese driver concluded. |
| Tadashi Yamashina. | | | | "I am very pleased to welcome Kamui to the |
| The Japanese auto giant is still seeking a | | | | team. He tested the car last winter and showed |
| replacement for Germany's Ralf Schumacher, | | | | he had the potential to drive in Formula 1 in the |
| who left at the end of the season last month, | | | | future. Now, after another season gaining |
| alongside Italian Jarno Trulli in their 2008 race | | | | experience in Formula 3, we believe he is ready |
| lineup. | | | | for the challenge of Formula 1. It is also very |
| Kobayashi has competed in the Formula 3 Euro | | | | gratifying to see the TDP scheme delivering |
| Series for the past two seasons, finishing fourth in | | | | results and helping a promising young driver to |
| the championship in 2007 with one race win, and | | | | reach Formula 1," added Yamashina. |
| had his first F1 test with Toyota last December, | | | | Additionally, another Japanese driver to have |
| divulged iTV. | | | | emerged from the TDP, Kazuki Nakajima, and he |
| "The TDP scheme has been very supportive of | | | | will be racing for Toyota-powered Williams in 2008. |
| me during my career and I am very grateful for | | | | While the Japanese automaker is upgrading the |
| all that support," he said. "This is a great challenge | | | | Toyota off road parts, the esteemed company is |
| for me and I am very excited about becoming a | | | | not neglecting its commitment in F1 racing. |
| Formula 1 driver. Since the start of my career I | | | | |