With the hurried announcement from Sauber that Esteban Gutiérrez will join Nico Hülkenberg for their 2013 driver lineup, Kamui Kobayashi is left without a race seat for next year.

Talking before the announcement, but knowing what it would contain, Kamui said: "This is Formula One. I need to work it out. Overall I think there is a bigger chance of a top team in 2014. We'll see. I'm working very hard to get a sponsor."

And paying tribute to him in their press release, Monisha Kaltenborn said: "Over the last three years Kamui has shown us he is not only a fierce competitor on the track, but also a wonderful person and fantastic team player. Every member of our team has the greatest respect for him, and his podium in Japan was a particularly emotional moment for all of us.

"This has not been an easy decision for us to take, but we have committed ourselves to a new beginning and our time with Kamui will come to an end after the final two races of the season. We wish Kamui all the best for the future."