Japanese youngster Kamui Kobayashi will move into Formula One as Toyota's third driver next season.

The 21-year-old has been with the team since 2001 and steps up from the Toyota Young Drivers Programme.

Another product of the programme, Kazuki Nakajima, recently secured a drive with Williams.

In 2005 Kamui won the Formula Renault Eurocup and Italian Formula Renault Championship before moving into Formula Three where he spent two seasons in the Euro Series.

Kamui said: "The TDP scheme has been very supportive of me during my career and I am very grateful for all that support.

"This is a great challenge for me and I am very excited about becoming a Formula One driver. Since the start of my career I have dreamed of reaching Formula One and to have the chance to join Toyota Racing as third driver is a fantastic opportunity for me.

"My first tests for the team last winter went well but I still have things to learn about Formula One and it will be a great experience for me to test more regularly for the team."

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