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Kovalainen close to agreeing 2014 terms with Caterham

Kovalainen close to agreeing 2014 terms with Caterham

  • Published on 15 Nov 2013 11:31
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
He may be racing a black and gold car for the rest of 2013, but Heikki Kovalainen on Thursday played down suggestions he could be in the running to replace Kimi Raikkonen permanently. The Finn has been drafted into Lotus' 2013 lineup for Austin and Brazil after his Ferrari-bound countryman Raikkonen opted for early back surgery.

After Nico Hulkenberg said no, reportedly also considered for the two-race job was Michael Schumacher. Lotus driver Romain Grosjean, however, suggested it was never very likely the seven time world champion would make a third F1 comeback.

"It was good marketing," the Frenchman smiled to RMC Sport, "but I would have been quite surprised if he had returned. It was not easy when he returned for the first time," added Grosjean. "Now, arriving late in the season for two races in a team he doesn't know -- it would have been risky," added Grosjean.

So 'risky', in fact, that German Hulkenberg turned down the chance. "Of course it was attractive," he said on Thursday. "It sounded attractive from the outside." The fact Hulkenberg turned down the chance indicates that Lotus was giving him no guarantee that the seat would lead to a full-time role in 2014. "If I had stepped in, I don't think people would have expected me to beat Romain right away," he said.

So instead of damaging his reputation while getting up to speed, Hulkenberg passed the torch to Kovalainen, whose return to F1 for 2014 seems more secure. "The only team I've seriously spoken about next year is Caterham," said the Finn. "We're getting close to the point where we're starting to agree the terms. This weekend and Brazil won't I think have a huge influence on that," added Kovalainen.

Indeed, Caterham boss Cyril Abiteboul confirmed on Thursday that while the team released Kovalainen to Lotus for Austin and Brazil, the 32-year-old remains "a valued member of the Caterham family". (GMM)
F1 News Romain Grosjean Lotus F1 Ferrari

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Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
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Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia
Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
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Shanghai International Circuit
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Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
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Monte Carlo
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Gilles Villeneuve
21 - Jun 23
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Circuit de Catalunya
28 - Jun 30
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Red Bull Ring
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United Kingdom
Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy
Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
Losail International Circuit
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
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Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain Bahrain International Circuit
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
Japan Circuit Suzuka
19 - Apr 21
China Shanghai International Circuit
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
Italy Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
Canada Gilles Villeneuve
21 - Jun 23
Spain Circuit de Catalunya
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
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19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
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23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
Singapore Marina Bay Street Circuit
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
Mexico Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
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Brazil Interlagos
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FR Romain Grosjean -
  • Team -
  • Points -
  • Podiums -
  • Grand Prix -
  • Country France
  • Date of b. Apr 17 1986 (38)
  • Place of b. Geneve, France
  • Weight 71 kg
  • Length 1.8 m
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Lotus F1
Lotus F1
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