Kobayashi admits: Ferrari weren't happy with me

Kamui Kobayashi admits that his decision to make a return to F1 with Caterham this season hasn't gone down well with Ferrari after he elected to turn down the chance to remain with the famous Italian manufacturer.

Having lost his drive with Sauber at the end of 2012, the Japanese racer joined Ferrari last year to form part of its factory GT assault on the World Endurance Championship.

Ferrari was keen to keep the 27-year-old onboard again for 2014, with suggestions that an expanded role with the F1 team could be thrown into the mix.

However, Kobayashi instead took the decision to drive for free with Tony Fernandes' Caterham squad in order to get back onto the F1 grid, although he admitted the decision hadn't gone down well with Ferrari.

"I have to say they're not really happy about my decision," he told Sky Sports, "but I said to Stefano [Domenicali], 'This is my dream, to be in Formula 1, and I think this is the last chance to be a race driver'.

"He gave me a good offer but unfortunately I had to decide this way. This is all my decision and definitely I had to say to Stefano thanks for all the support last year. It was a very great experience for me but I'm here for Formula 1, not for driving GT."

Kobayashi added that the chance to get back into F1 wasn't one he felt he could afford to turn down.

"If I missed this year, I think it was over," he said, "and that's why I tried to take this opportunity."