Caterham boss Tony Fernandes has admitted he "cannot discount going down the pay-driver route" for 2013, according to a report in the Guardian. That would be bad news for Heikki Kovalainen, who already admitted in India last weekend that financial issues are clouding his future.
The main problem is that Caterham is currently sitting eleventh in the constructors' world championship, meaning that Marussia is the backmarker team looking most likely to scoop the millions in extra Concorde Agreement earnings. Finn Kovalainen, whilst highly rated by Fernandes, brings no sponsorship to Caterham. "Whether that's the deciding factor or not, I don't know," he said on Wednesday.
Fernandes' alternative to Kovalainen is a driver who can bring sponsorship, such as Dutchman Giedo van der Garde, who has recently been driving for the team in Friday morning practices. It has meant Kovalainen, who turned 31 recently, has also had to go onto the driver market. "We are looking, of course," he told The National newspaper. "I'm not stressed about it."
However, Kovalainen admitted it is a "possibility" Fernandes will have to replace the lost Concorde earnings with the sponsorship of a pay-driver. "It's a big deal for the team," he said. "They know that I don't bring money -- they need to pay me, that's what I do. If my hands are not good enough here then that's how it is, but I don't ever really fancy looking for money," added Kovalainen. (GMM)
Kovalainen still waiting for Caterham's driver decision
- Published on 01 Nov 2012 11:07
-
0
- By: Rob Veenstra
.
Trending news
-
Why Liam Lawson is keeping quiet on his Red Bull futureLiam Lawson has dismissed growing speculation about his Formula 1 future, insisting that discussions about a contract...
26 Jun 2026 12:15 -
Ferrari pressures FIA over Mercedes diffuser ahead of AustriaFerrari has formally asked the FIA to clarify the legality of Mercedes' latest rear diffuser design, prompting th...
26 Jun 2026 16:22 -
Why McLaren and Red Bull are challenging Gasly's Monaco penalty reversalOscar Piastri has defended McLaren's decision to appeal the reversal of Pierre Gasly's Monaco Grand Prix pena...
26 Jun 2026 15:20 -
Why Montoya believes Russell's contract limbo is affecting his Mercedes formJuan Pablo Montoya believes George Russell's contract uncertainty is quietly undermining his performances at Merc...
26 Jun 2026 14:18 -
When will Alonso make his 2027 call? He just named the dateFernando Alonso has placed a timeline on his Formula 1 future, confirming he will make a final decision on his 2027 p...
26 Jun 2026 13:16
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
26 - Jun 28
Austria
Red Bull Ring
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