Kamui Kobayashi, who is racing at Daytona this weekend in the #40 Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac V-Series.R, told Motorsport Week that it feels ‘different’ with Cadillac, compared to his regular day job.
“I think Toyota is my home,” said the Japanese driver.
“Obviously, I think I know everybody is family. I think here is a little bit different. Of course, I think still in the family with Wayne, but obviously with the GM I think we are part of that project.
Kobayashi’s ‘day job’ is team principal and race driver for the Toyota Gazoo Racing squad, where he competes full-time in the FIA World Endurance Championship.
While he’s raced for Cadillac in the past at Daytona, this is the first time he’s raced a car he usually competes against in WEC — the Cadillac V-Series.R.
“But it’s not being like, you know, driver for GM,” he continued.
“So obviously it is challenging being here. But of course, I’m here to help Wayne Taylor and the Cadillac to win. So I try to do my best and working hard, but yeah, as I say it’s a bit different.
With experience of two very different teams, Kobayashi says the way they approach the weekend is quite different in some areas.
“I think of course it’s different, but I think how we are approaching the the weekend is quite the same. There’s a bit of a different mentality to how they set up the car, how they build the car. But obviously I think this is how we are, we need to adjust.
“We are driving for winning the race and obviously we do our best. But anyway, I think is not even Toyota or Cadillac. You can from a European race to an American race. They’re quite different, you know, how they’re approaching the race.
“So, obviously, it’s not surprise. I think this is how they make it. I’m happy, because I know how Wayne Taylor Racing is working hard and how they built it this weekend.
“And definitely, I think Wayne Taylor has always been strong here. So, I believe this team can make it and I just try to run how they do to make it, the race, work,” he concluded.
Kobayashi was fastest in the third and final practice session in the #40 WTR Cadillac. However, his teammate Louis Deletraz could only qualify the car eighth, behind the sister car in seventh, qualified by Filipe Albuquerque. But, analysis of practice shows Cadillac have the pace to fight in the race, against the Acuras, Porsches, and BMWs, one of which will start the race on pole.
The 2025 Daytona 24 Hours will start at 1:40pm local time, or 6:40pm UK time.
