Heikki Kovalainen has admitted it is possible he will lose his Caterham seat at the end of the season. Although the Finn is highly regarded by the Tony Fernandes-led team, Caterham is facing up to the prospect of losing millions in projected Concorde Agreement earnings, due to losing tenth place in the lucrative constructors' championship standings to Marussia.
When asked specifically about his future, Kovalainen answered in India: "For our team it's quite important that we try to regain that tenth position back. So, the main focus is on that and regarding the future with the team and with Tony, we haven't decided yet," he revealed. "I think Tony knows what he gets with me but then he's evaluating other options I think to see what he wants to do. And I'm waiting. In the meantime, of course, my management is also working."
The implication is clear: if Caterham's budget falls short due to the lost Concorde earnings, the team will be tempted to replace the money with a 'pay driver'. Marussia's well-funded Charles Pic has been linked with a 2013 Caterham seat, as has Giedo van der Garde, who took over Kovalainen's car in first practice in India on Friday.
Kovalainen is quoted by Turun Sanomat newspaper: "He (Fernandes) has to decide whether to have two drivers who bring budget with them, or (to keep) me. I do not bring any money," he clarified. "Tony has not told me directly what he intends to do." (GMM)
Heikki Kovalainen facing Caterham axe to pay-driver
- Published on 26 Oct 2012 14:37
-
0
- By: Rob Veenstra
.
Trending news
-
Steiner Claims Wolff Is Taking Revenge on Verstappen Through AntonelliGuenther Steiner has made a pointed suggestion about the motivation behind Toto Wolff's investment in Andrea Kimi...
22 Apr 2026 13:15 -
Verstappen Faces the Most Demanding Month of His Year Starting in MiamiThe enforced April break in Formula 1 is almost over. The season resumes in Miami in just over a week, and for Max Ve...
22 Apr 2026 12:13 -
Formula 1 Announces Immediate Rule Changes to Tackle Safety and Energy ManagementThe FIA has acted. After weeks of pressure from drivers, teams, and the public following the Bearman crash in Japan, ...
21 Apr 2026 15:53 -
Steiner Says the 2026 Rules Are Helping Antonelli and Hurting RussellKimi Antonelli's lead in the championship after three races has surprised many people. Gunther Steiner is not one...
21 Apr 2026 14:50 -
McLaren Reserve O'Ward Rules Out Formula 1 Move: "This Is Not Mario Kart"Pato O'Ward spent years working toward a Formula 1 seat through his reserve driver role at McLaren. That ambition...
21 Apr 2026 13:48
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
Test calendar
Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
-
Jan 26
I. Hadjar
- 1:18.159
-
-
-
Jan 27
M. Verstappen
- 1:19.578
-
-
-
Jan 28
A. Antonelli
- 1:17.362
-
-
-
Jan 29
G. Russell
- 1:16.445
-
-
-
Jan 30
L. Hamilton
- 1:16.348
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 11
L. Norris
- 1:34.669
-
-
-
Feb 12
C. Leclerc
- 1:34.273
-
-
-
Feb 13
A. Antonelli
- 1:33.669
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 18
G. Russell
- 1:33.459
-
-
Feb 19
A. Antonelli
- 1:32.803
-
-
Feb 20
C. Leclerc
- 1:31.992
-
-
World Championship standings 2026
Pos
Driver
Team
Points
Pos
Team
Points
Related news
Give your opinion!
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Spain
-
Bahrain
-
Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
-
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
-
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
6 - Mar 8
Australia
Albert Park
13 - Mar 15
27 - Mar 29
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
10 - Apr 12
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
17 - Apr 19
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
1 - May 3
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
22 - May 24
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
5 - Jun 7
Monaco
Monte Carlo
12 - Jun 14
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Team profile
- Team name Marussia
- Base Banbury, Russian
- Max Chilton 4
- Jules Bianchi 17
- Jules Bianchi 22
- Max Chilton 23
- Will Stevens 28
- Alexander Rossi 53
- Roberto Merhi 98
- 19,771 comments on Marussia
0 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Marussia
Replies (0)
Login to reply