Former Formula One driver Kamui Kobayashi was announced as a full-time driver oi Toyota's World Endurance Championship team on Thursday, marking his first entry into the premier class of endurance road racing.
The 29-year-old Kobayashi will team up with Stephane Sarrazin and Mike Conway for Toyota while fellow Japanese driver Kazuki Nakajima will share a seat with Anthony Davidson and Sebastien Buemi, both also former F1 drivers.
"Racing in LMP1 will be a new experience for me and I am looking forward to it a lot," said Kobayashi, who test drove for the team last season. "There will be plenty to learn but I know my teammates will support me and I am sure I can be competitive right from the start.