Mika Salo expects Kovalainen back in F1 soon

  • Published on 05 Jul 2013 15:49
  • comments 0
  • By: Rob Veenstra
Former F1 driver Mika Salo is expecting a return to formula one for Finnish countryman Heikki Kovalainen to "snap into place soon". The highly-rated Kovalainen, ousted by Caterham at the end of last year in favour of sponsored 2014 drivers, is now being linked with the underperforming Dutchman Giedo van der Garde's cockpit.

Told by Sky reporter Ted Kravitz at Silverstone last week that Van der Garde is "not doing the business for you", Caterham chief executive Riad Asmat dodged the answer. "He'll come back next week, for sure," Asmat answered. Indeed, van der Garde is still occupying the Caterham race seat at the Nurburgring.

But Salo, now a pundit for Finnish television MTV3, thinks Kovalainen is definitely waiting in the wings. "Heikki's situation with Caterham right now is at an exciting time," he said. "Things will snap into place soon, and I hope it's Heikki back in a race car. Actually I expected it to happen at Silverstone," Salo admitted.

Salo, the former Sauber and Toyota driver, said Kovalainen's mid-season return to F1 in 2013 would be timely. "If he does get to race (in 2013) then he will be in a strong position for next season," he predicted, "because there are not many experienced drivers available on the market. For example, Lotus may have two seats open for next year," added Salo. (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 

World Championship standings 2024

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
29 - Mar 2
Bahrain
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia
22 - Mar 24
Australia
5 - Apr 7
Japan
19 - Apr 21
China
3 - May 5
United States of America
17 - May 19
Italy
24 - May 26
Monaco
7 - Jun 9
Canada
21 - Jun 23
Spain
28 - Jun 30
Austria
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom
19 - Jul 21
Hungary
26 - Jul 28
Belgium
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands
30 - Sep 1
Italy
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan
20 - Sep 22
Singapore
18 - Oct 20
United States of America
25 - Oct 27
Mexico
1 - Nov 3
Brazil
22 - Nov 24
United States of America
29 - Dec 1
Qatar
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2024

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
29 - Mar 2
7 - Mar 9
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
22 - Mar 24
Australia Albert Park
5 - Apr 7
19 - Apr 21
3 - May 5
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
17 - May 19
24 - May 26
Monaco Monte Carlo
7 - Jun 9
21 - Jun 23
28 - Jun 30
Austria Red Bull Ring
5 - Jul 7
United Kingdom Silverstone
19 - Jul 21
Hungary Hungaroring
26 - Jul 28
23 - Aug 25
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
30 - Sep 1
Italy Monza
13 - Sep 15
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
20 - Sep 22
18 - Oct 20
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
25 - Oct 27
1 - Nov 3
Brazil Interlagos
22 - Nov 24
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
29 - Dec 1
6 - Dec 8
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar