If there’s one thing Kamui Kobayashi knows how to do, it’s leave a lasting impression. The motorsport legend, celebrated for his stints in Formula 1, Le Mans victories, and even his guest appearances with Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing NASCAR team, has taken Daytona by storm—not just with his driving but with his wonderfully eccentric off-track behavior.
On the track: a masterclass in racing
Behind the wheel of the Wayne Taylor Racing Cadillac V-Series.R GTP car, Kobayashi wasted no time showcasing his elite talent. Within five hours of the Rolex 24 at Daytona, he propelled his team to the front of the field, proving yet again why he’s one of motorsport’s most versatile stars. His smooth handling and precise execution were reminiscent of his Le Mans-winning days, leaving competitors in awe.
Off the track: a sauna, a laundromat, and a lot of ice
It’s off the track, however, where Kobayashi truly became the talk of the paddock. While most drivers stuck to conventional race-week routines like bike rides and NBA games, Kobayashi opted for something entirely his own.
First, he bought a $450 portable sauna from a local sporting goods store, parking it outside his motorhome. Then he set up a nightly ritual involving cold plunges in ice-filled water sourced from 7-Eleven, followed by warming sessions in his makeshift sauna. “Tap water not that cold,” Kobayashi quipped. “So I bought the ice from 7-Eleven. I put the ice cubes in water. I dive for like two minutes. I chill on the bench outside for five minutes. You get cold. You go to motorhome. You take shower. This is my cycle.”
And when the weekend arrived? Kobayashi, realizing he couldn’t take the sauna home, generously gifted it to members of the media—leaving them both delighted and bewildered.
Teammates and quirks: Kobayashi’s charm wins Daytona
Teammate Jordan Taylor, no stranger to quirks himself, couldn’t help but admire Kobayashi’s unique approach. “He’s super unique,” Taylor said. “While everyone else went to NBA games or trained on bikes, Kamui just stayed in his motorhome, went to a 24-hour laundromat, and embraced his sauna ritual. He’s a character, and it’s fun to have him in the car.”
Kobayashi explained his unusual choices simply: “The best thing is sleep well, fresh in the morning, do your job. When you are in a motorhome for like 10 days… obviously you get bored. I have nothing to do.”
A star beyond the wheel
While Kobayashi’s on-track brilliance continues to shine, it’s his offbeat antics that have made him the media darling of Daytona. From ice baths and saunas to midnight laundromats, he’s brought a fresh and fun energy to the Rolex 24—a reminder that racing is as much about personality as performance.
In a world of high-stakes motorsport, Kamui Kobayashi remains delightfully unconventional, leaving fans and media alike eagerly awaiting his next move.
