Who was your first hero when you were a child?
Kamui Kobayashi: None! I didn’t have any heroes when I was a kid.
What was the first Grand Prix you can remember watching?
KK: The first race I can remember watching live was the Italian Grand Prix at Monza when I was 15. I was racing that weekend and that was the first F1 race I saw.
How old were you when you first decided you wanted to be an F1 driver?
KK: I wanted to be a racing driver since I was small, but I can’t really remember when I wanted to be in F1.
What colour was your first helmet?
KK: White.
When did you win your first trophy in racing and what did it look like?
KK: It was in my first ever race, in a kart. I can’t remember exactly what the trophy looked like but it was about 30cm tall.
What was the first road car you drove?
KK: It was a Toyota - I can’t remember exactly what sort but it was definitely a Toyota.
Where was the first house you lived in?
KK: It was my parents’ house in Amagasaki.
How nervous were you on your first day of school?
KK: I wasn’t really nervous until a girl sat next to me - then I was nervous!
What was the first meal you ever cooked?
KK: It was probably something with eggs, I’m not too sure though!
What was the first thing you did this morning?
KK: Checked my phone - that’s what I always do!
What was the first thing you did after getting your first seat in F1?
KK: I got on a plane! I was in Japan and had a call from Toyota to say Timo (Glock) may have to pull out of the Brazilian Grand Prix, so I had to fly to Sao Paulo as quickly as possible!
What was the first record you bought?
KK: It was something Japanese I think.
What was the first sport you participated in as a kid?
KK: Swimming, definitely!
When was your first romantic kiss?
KK: When I was 11. I had a girlfriend at school when I was 11, but after we kissed we didn’t talk to each other anymore!
When was the first time you were asked to sign an autograph for a fan?
KK: When I was about 12 or 13 I think, during karting.
When did you first taste champagne?
KK: I think it was when I was about 10, after a win in karts.
Which would you eat first - a piece of fruit or a piece of chocolate?
KK: Fruit. No, chocolate! No, fruit! Both! Yes, both! (laughs)
What was the first word you said as a baby?
KK: Haha! I have no idea!