The announcement of Kamui Kobayashi’s return to Formula One is certainly a popular one.
With Charles Pic and Giedo van der Garde at the wheel last season, Caterham were unable to make use of the extra sponsorship money that the inexperienced pairing brought to the table.
This time they have hedged their bets, opting for Marcus Ericsson to drive alongside Kobayashi, the 23-year old Swede seemingly bringing in the pay packet to mix with Kobayashi’s experience.
The Japanese daredevil won many hearts in his first spell in F1 and will be welcomed back with open arms by many as he looks to lead Caterham to their first ever point.
It is testament to Kobayashi’s personality and ambition that he has chosen to ignore opportunities with Ferrari to drive in F1 for costless next season, on top of being in a position most likely at the back of the grid.
With owner Tony Fernandes seemingly losing patience with the team too, there is much reason for pleading for Caterham - and rivals Marussia - to finally break costless of the back of the grid and start challenging Toro Rosso, Williams and Sauber.
Four years is long enough for both teams to have got their act together, although - in Marussia's defence - they have been operating on a tiny budget.
In Kobayashi and Jules Bianchi, both teams have a lead driver capable of battling with their midfield counterparts.
Kobayashi proved time and again in both his Toyota and Sauber years that he wasn’t afraid to mix it with the best F1 has to offer, whilst Ferrari academy graduate Bianchi impressed in poor machinery last season.
It is a crime against sport to see such talent wasted at the back of the grid, which is meant without any disrespect to Caterham or Marussia. Obviously at least one team has to back up the field every year; it is just a shame that they must be so far behind the rest season after season.
If they remain specks in the mirrors of Williams and Toro Rosso, then Kobayashi’s second coming will be insignificant.
The reason he was so popular was because of his daring, uncompromising style and his penchant for a brilliant overtaking manoeuvre, none of which will be seen if he cannot stay on the rear wing of Daniil Kvyat and company.
Also, if they remain marooned at the back for the foreseeable future, not only might Caterham be sold or even taken off the F1 map completely, but it increases the chances of exceptional talent such as Kobayashi and Bianchi being discarded in favour of less gifted “pay drivers”.
Time to step up, Caterham. Do your driver and F1 fans justice, and start finally battling with the rest.