Kamui Kobayashi back in F1 with Haas for a test session at Le Castellet
More than ten years after his last Formula 1 race, former Japanese driver Kamui Kobayashi is back behind the wheel thanks to a technical partnership between Toyota and Haas.
Kamui Kobayashi, a well-known figure among Formula 1 fans from the 2010s, got back behind the wheel of an F1 on June 5, 2025, at the Paul Ricard circuit for a testing day organized by Haas. The former Toyota and Sauber driver, now the head of Toyota’s WEC team, hadn’t driven in Formula 1 since the end of 2014. His return marks a nice nod to his career but also a symbolic step in the new collaboration strategy between Haas and Toyota.
A technical partnership between Haas and Toyota
This test is not insignificant. Since 2024, Haas has been benefiting from the technical support of Toyota in the design and manufacturing of certain parts. In return, the American team offers a springboard for young Japanese drivers, like Ryo Hirakawa, the official reserve driver and author of several appearances in FP1 this season.
Kobayashi takes advantage of regulations allowing tests with old single-seaters to carry out his runs. At 38, he remains a reference in Japan and a symbol of the lasting bond between Toyota and F1.
A driver appreciated for his flair
Revealed at the end of the 2009 season with Toyota, Kamui Kobayashi quickly made a name for himself with his aggressive and spectacular style, particularly during his bold overtakes. In 2012, he delivered Japan its latest podium finish, with a brilliant third place at Suzuka in Sauber colors.
After a brief stint with Caterham in 2014, his F1 career came to a halt, but he successfully transitioned to the World Endurance Championship, notably winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the WEC title in 2021.
A symbolic and strategic return
This test does not mark a permanent return to F1 for Kobayashi, but it confirms the central role that Toyota seems to want to play again in the F1 universe, pending a possible more significant involvement in the coming years. The choice of the Paul Ricard circuit, the historical home of the French Grand Prix, also gives this session a nostalgic feel, like a bridge between past and future.
