The Latest Breaking News from Kamui Kobayashi

Toyota gained something approaching revenge on Ferrari for its Le Mans 24 Hours defeat in the Italian manufacturer’s backyard at Monza. Kamui Kobayashi, Mike Conway and Jose Maria Lopez took what on paper looked like a narrow victory, but in reality they had a clear advantage in last Sunday’s World…

The phrase used in a cursory statement issued after Le Mans 24 Hours-winning WEC Hypercar squad was beaten by Toyota can be regarded as a clear reference to the revised Balance of Performance that came into effect in the Monza 6 Hours.

One year on from the Peugeot 9X8 Le Mans Hypercar’s competition debut at the Italian track, Vergne set the early pace in the hour-long session before he was usurped by Antonio Fuoco’s Ferrari, the Italian posting a 1m35.923s in his 499P LMH.

Kamui Kobayashi was quickest initially in the #7 Toyota GR010 HYBRID Le Mans Hypercar and then improved to a 1m36.363s to give him a margin of just under two tenths over Antonio Fuoco in the #50 Ferrari 499P LMH.

Kamui Kobayashi was quickest initially in the #7 Toyota GR010 HYBRID Le Mans Hypercar and then improved to a 1m36.363s to give him a margin of just under two tenths over Antonio Fuoco in the #50 Ferrari 499P LMH.

One minute and 22 seconds. That was all that separated Toyota from a sixth consecutive victory at the Le Mans 24 Hours. And what shouldn’t be forgotten is what a historically slim margin that is in the context of the French enduro that was celebrating its centenary running.

Oshima came home fourth in the solo Rookie Racing entry on Sunday, marking his best result in a single-seater since his third-place finish at Autopolis in 2019.

“I don't know what to say... how we can go from where we were to... I don't understand what the hell just happened."

From second on the grid, Miyata passed polesitter and early leader Toshiki Oyu on lap 13 of 51 and then enjoyed a relatively straightforward run to the finish, claiming a dominant 22-second win.