Kamui Kobayashi, Japan's only Formula One driver this year, announced on Tuesday that he has given up on his hopes of competing in the elite series next season.

Kobayashi was not re-signed by Sauber F1 after three years with the team, leaving F1 without a Japanese driver for the first time in 10 years.

The 26-year-old had been soliciting sponsorship donations in his efforts to obtain a ride for 2013 and said on his site that his efforts had raised more than ?8 million. He will discontinue the sponsorship effort for the time being and focus on finding an F1 job for 2014.

"My main priority is to secure the competitive F1 seat in 2014. I have no interests to race any other categories," he wrote.