The real reason Kobayashi will not return to F1

[acescribe]

"Pass me a cigarette dear boy"...

[555-04Q2]

Filter or plain?

[Rollo]

So the fact that Ferrari were able to sign Kimi and retain the services of Alonso had nothing to do with it eh?

[schmenke]

At the risk of "dating" myself, I remember footage of Keke Rosberg butting out a fag just prior to donning his helmet and strapping himself into his car at the start of a race .

[D-Type]

John Player Special, Gold Leaf, Marlboro, Rothmans, Mild 7, West, Embassy, Benson and Hedges, etc etc.

Where would F1 be without cigarettes?

[Rollo]

So the man on the left hasn't just signed for Ferrari? I don't understand.

[dj_bytedisaster]

It's just hogwash. James Hunt was lauded for being a smoking, drinking, women-shaggin' son-of-a-bitch. Keke smoked like a furnace. Kimi regularly gets shitfaced, so effing what? The reason why Koba isn't in F1 is that a) he doesn't bring enough money and b) he isn't good enough - the end.

[Sage-sg]

It's bullshit! Kimi smoke and all know it.

[Jag_Warrior]

Kamui Kobayashi drove for Sauber in 2012. He apparently smoked a cigarette in a nation where smoking is neither illegal nor socially unacceptable. And he can't race for Sauber or return to F1 for this reason???

Adrian Sutil was convicted of causing grievous bodily harm to an individual, fined 200,000 euros and given an 18-month suspended jail sentence (this alone would make him a convicted felon in the U.S.). Adrian Sutil will drive for Sauber in 2014.

I don't mind Sutil, but I thought that Kamui Kobayashi was one of the most exciting drivers in 2011-12. And I greatly miss him being on the grid - especially with more monied, half-talents taking up space next year.

[Tazio]

According to F1.com Kamui is is still being considered for a seat with Caterham. IMO he deserves a seat that would allow him to compete for championship points, however that seat would at least get him back in the game. I hope he gets it.
http://www.formula1.com/news/features/2014/1/15368.html