Kobayashi aims for a podium finish

October 6th, 2014 (F1plus Team).- It was good day for the hometown boy, Kamuy Kobayashi, after he was able to secure 4th best time in Q3, but then got promoted to third once Jenson Button's 5-grid penalty took effect after the session was over. 

Kobayashi is optimistic and is hoping to turn the good start position into a similar one at the end of the race. He is now looking to improve the best result of his career -a fourth in Germany this year- in his own country and under the support of his fans. 

"I am happy because I think I achieved the maximum possible today," he said. "On my last lap I lost a bit of time because of the yellow flag when I backed off and switched off the DRS. I want to thank the team for the big step forward they have managed with the car since Friday.

"In the beginning we were struggling with the new parts but now we have got it right. After quite a few changes to the settings the car is fast again. From where I am starting I should have a chance to fight for a podium finish, and it would be a dream come true if I could achieve my first podium in Formula One in front of my home crowd."

He said his main target would be to make a decent getaway from the grid. Kobayashi started from the third in China, but lost several positions at the start and then at Spa-Francorchamps when he was in front row, the well known race start crash (the one that Grosjean initiated) ruined all his posibilities. 

"But first of all I have to manage a good start, and then I should have more luck than in Spa this year where I started from the front row but got involved in an accident. But hopefully it will work well.“