Kamui Kobayashi will attempt to put his ill-fated return to F1 behind him after inking a deal to race in Japan's dome🗹stic Super Formula in 2015.

The former Toyota and Sauber racer returned to the top flight with Caterham after sitting out the 2013 season, but the move proved to be a disaster as the team lurched from one crisis to another, missing several races at the end of the campaign before re-appearing in Abu Dhabi thanks to a crowd-funding initiative. Kobayashi had already been stood down temporarily as Caterham attempted to find improved results and, with the team's future uncertain for 2015, the national hero has de🐓cided to cut his losses and return home in search of success.

Kobayashi announced his Super Formula deal via his Facebook page, admitting that he was ꦚlooking to kick-start 🐼his single-seater career after a brief Ferrari-engineered spell in GTs during his year out of F1.

"I join Super Formula series for 2015," the fan favourite con𝄹firmed, "[I'm] happy to [be] back [in] my home race after 12 years in Europ♎e. I would like [to] provide exciting driving and amazing show on track! All races will take place in Japan so please come to Japan and let's have a real race with me!"

Kobayashi follows in the footsteps of several drivers who have found a home in Japan's senior single-seater series after failed F1 bids, and should rival the likes of former Williams driver Kazuki Nakajima who returned to his native soil a few seasons ago. Ironically, Kobayashi's campaign should also bring him face-to-fa🍃ce with Andre Lotterer, who replaced him at Caterham for the Belgian Grand Pr♍ix, as well as other European 'invaders'.