Kamui Kobyashi thanks fans for help in Formula 1 funding quest

After losing his Sauber drive because he could not raise enough sponsorship money, Kobayashi has set up a 'Kamui Support' website where fans can donate money to help boost his funds.

The website has only been active for a few days, but the Japanese driver announced on Tuesday that it was generating great interest and he had already secured around £500,000.

In a message posted in Japanese on his Twitter account, Kobayashi said: "Thank you for your support from everyone for 'Kamui Support'. Thank you very much.

"As of November 27, the current fundraising total was 65,813,672 yen."

Although the £500,000 would not be enough to secure a drive on its own, a growing fund like that could prove useful in topping up any backing he has.

Kobayashi said at the weekend that he was in talks with another team - believed to be Force India - but that his chances rested on securing funding.

"We're just waiting for some money to come in," said Kobayashi. "We're waiting, we just need a sign.

"It will be difficult. I'm talking with another team, but it's difficult to say. If I don't talk [to other teams] it means I'm retired."

2013 Formula 1 line-up so far

Kobayashi's quest for a seat appears to be down to Force India and Caterham, with most of next year's field now settled:

Red Bull-Renault      Sebastian Vettel  Mark Webber      
Ferrari               Fernando Alonso   Felipe Massa     
McLaren-Mercedes      Jenson Button     Sergio Perez     
Lotus-Renault         Kimi Raikkonen    Romain Grosjean *  
Mercedes              Lewis Hamilton    Nico Rosberg     
Sauber-Ferrari        Nico Hulkenberg   Esteban Gutierrez
Force India-Mercedes  Paul di Resta     drive available  
Williams-Renault      Pastor Maldonado  Valtteri Bottas *  
Toro Rosso-Ferrari    Daniel Ricciardo  Jean-Eric Vergne 
Caterham-Renault      Charles Pic       drive available  
Marussia-Cosworth     Timo Glock        Max Chilton *      
HRT-Cosworth**        Pedro de la Rosa  drive available

* Drive not yet officially confirmed
** HRT team's future unclear