Kobayashi photographed smoking cigarette

Kamui Kobayashi has dealt his bid to return to formula one a blow, after photos emerged of the former Toyota and Sauber driver smoking a cigarette.

Walking next to an unnamed Japanese beauty, Kobayashi - who has been racing for Ferrari in GT sports cars this year - was depicted smoking in the photos published by the popular Japanese gossip magazine ’Friday’.

Additionally, the young woman walking alongside Kobayashi is reportedly not his girlfriend.

A photo can be seen below this news.

According to 2013 research, almost 34 per cent of all Japanese men smoke.