After two stunning performances standing in for the injured Timo Glock, it appears as if Japanese driver Kamui Kobayashi has almost certainly landed himself a full time drive with the Panasonic Toyota Racing team in the 2010 Formula One championship season.

Sunday’s twilight/night event at the all new Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi say the rookie racer cross the finish line in a strong sixth place, ahead of his much more experienced teammate, Jarno Trulli, who had started well before him on the grid.  However, while that pleased Toyota bosses, it was more his fearless and determined racing, displayed more than once but most notably when he refused to back down to world champion Jenson Button and went wheel to wheel with the Brawn racer in order to get through.

"We're very impressed. What we like is his real fighting spirit. He's not intimidated by anybody, which is very positive," said John Howett, adding that it looked like they would be retaining him for 2010. "We'll have to give it very serious consideration. He's shown very good, strong resolve, so we have to be serious. He has come through the Toyota driver programme, which is a very positive reason. He's also Japanese and we're a Japanese team, so there are lots of positives."