Though we’d love to tell you that the former Sauber driver is being considered as a possible replacement for one of Ferrari’s current F1 drivers, the truth of the matter is he was only driving the car in preparation for an exhibition event taking place in Russia this July.
Kobayashi, who’s currently driving an AF Corse Ferrari 458 GT in the World Endurance Champion, didn’t take long to get to grips with the car, despite this being his first time behind the wheel of a Ferrari F1 car.
The test drive was in preparation for the upcoming Moscow City Racing event, which will see the F1 car shoot through the streets of the Russian capital on July 21.
“The first feeling was one of great happiness,” Kobayashi said after his short test. “I raced against this car and I knew how quick it was, so it was very important to get some experience of it.”
Kobayashi’s last race in F1 was the 2012 Brazilian Grand Prix, which he completed behind the wheel of a Sauber C31. He scored 60 points that season to earn him 12th place overall.
“Last year’s race in Brazil was the last time I drove a Formula One car and now I am racing in WEC in a 458 GT, and the impressions are completely different,” Kobayashi said. “But it wasn’t hard to readapt, because in the past, I’ve driven all sorts of cars and I’m used to change.”
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