Kobayashi: Start of year overshadowed

With his country going through one of its worst crisis in history, the Sauber driver conceded his mind is on the people who have lost it all.

Kobayashi said he is hoping for a strong result in Australia in order to give his countrymen some positive news.

"Of course I was very worried about my country and so went to Japan after the Barcelona test," said the Japanese in a team preview ahead of the Australian Grand Prix.

"I must say the situation is really, really bad. So many have lost their lives, become homeless, are without food and water in the cold winter, and have lost their loved ones. It is difficult to believe that a scenario worse than in any movie has become reality.

"We need to stay together and we need help from all over the world. I am worried the whole country could disappear - it is just too awful. Since the earthquake and the tsunami news is getting worse every day, there is nothing positive to look forward to at the moment.

"I feel I have to do something, I want to help - but in fact there is nothing I can do by myself. I think at least for the time being what I can do is to be focused and fully concentrate on the season's opening race in Melbourne. Originally I was looking forward to this with great joy.

"Now what I really want to do is my very best to achieve a good result, which perhaps can at least give the people in Japan a little bit of hope and positive news."

Team-mate Sergio Perez also admitted he was concerned about the situation in Japan, but the Mexican, who will be making his grand prix debut, said he couldn't wait to go racing.

"Without a doubt I am also worried about the people in Japan, and I really wish them all the best. At the same time personally a dream is about to come true. I have dreamed for many years of competing in my first Formula 1 grand prix, and now it is going to happen," he said.

"I am excited and I am very much looking forward to it. It will be a weekend during which I have to adapt quickly to many things - to the circuit, which is new to me, and to all the aspects of a grand prix weekend from free practice to qualifying and the race.

"I cannot imagine yet how it will be for me when the lights go out on Sunday, but I can't wait to find that out. I have never been to Australia before. Of course, I have checked the circuit lay-out and other things. I understand it is a tough track, very challenging and not easy to find the limit, so it will be hard."