Mercedes have had an unlikely response to their advert for a driver to replace Formula One world champion Nico Rosberg — from former Sauber man Kamui Kobayashi.
Rosberg announced his retirement from the sport last week, opening up a space in the competition's best car for next season, just five days after dethroning team-mate Lewis Hamilton to win his first drivers' title.
Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel was linked with a switch from Ferrari but has since dismissed such claims, with the majority of rumours swirling around Pascal Wehrlein, Fernando Alonso and Valtteri Bottas.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has admitted Alonso, who won the drivers' title in 2005 and 2006, is being considered as a replacement for Rosberg.
Despite such high-profile names being linked to the seat, Kobayashi seemingly hopes to get the nod after posting his CV on Twitter and alerting Mercedes, who have posted an advert for the seat in Autosport .
Here is my CV!! >@MercedesAMGF1>pic.twitter.com/aJUFdAlqHX
— KAMUI KOBAYASHI (@kamui_kobayashi) >December 8, 2016
The 30-year-old Japanese's resume states he has "a proven track record in skills including steering, braking and accelerating" - like anyone who has driven any form vehicle - and is "still young".
And following the criticism of Hamilton for disobeying instructions at the season-closing Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Kobayashi assured he would adhere to Mercedes' demands, listing among his traits: "Always listens, respects and follows team's orders!!!"
The Japanese made his F1 debut in 2009 for Toyota before spending the next three years at Sauber, his only podium coming on his home circuit of Suzuka in 2012.
After one year on the endurance circuit, Kobayashi returned to F1 for one season with Caterham in 2014, failing to secure a single point in the campaign.
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