Little doubt remains that Andre Lotterer will make his formula one race debut with Caterham this weekend at Spa-Francorchamps. The 32-year-old reigning Le Mans winner's replacement in the Japanese open wheeler series Super Formula, for instance, has already been announced.
"I am happy to announce that I am leaving for Japan," said Andrea Caldarelli, who was holidaying in Italy when he got the surprise call-up. He said he will be racing "car 36", which is the Petronas TOM's car usually raced by Lotterer. So far, however, Caterham is quiet. "We currently have nothing to say on this question," a spokesperson is quoted by Speed Week.
Behind the scenes, however, team sources are unofficially admitting that Kamui Kobayashi will not be in the green car in Belgium this weekend. Speed Week claims the only thing holding up an announcement is the lodgement of Lotterer's contract with the FIA lawyers in Geneva, and - as a Le Mans winner and past Formula Nippon champion - the formality of his F1 super license.
It is expected the announcement will be made by Caterham's new management early on Wednesday, perhaps along with confirmation that a sponsor, the energy drink Hype, is also signing up. Germany's Auto Motor und Sport said Lotterer's Le Mans team, Audi, has agreed to release him from his contract for the Spa race. Audi spokesperson Eva-Maria Veith told Spox: "There was a conversation. It is up to the team to announce whether or not it is happening, but we have no problem."
At the moment, Japanese Kobayashi is scheduled to return to the Caterham cockpit in Monza. Lotterer is fighting for the Super Formula title, and in September his Audi duties in the world endurance championship will resume. Lotterer's manager Werner Heinz is quoted by Spox: "The negotiations are not yet complete, but it looks good." (GMM)
Caterham to announce one-off appearance for Lotterer
- Published on 20 Aug 2014 10:02
-
0
- By: Rob Veenstra
.
Trending news
-
Nike reportedly working on F1 return after two decadesNike is exploring a return to Formula 1 after more than two decades away from the paddock, with early-stage talks cen...
01 Sep 2026 16:25 -
How Liam Lawson's Zandvoort drive may have rescued his F1 futureLiam Lawson may have salvaged his Formula 1 career with a composed performance at the Dutch Grand Prix, according to ...
01 Sep 2026 15:23 -
Sainz baffled by Verstappen's thoughts on early F1 retirementCarlos Sainz has expressed genuine confusion at Max Verstappen's repeated consideration of early retirement from ...
01 Sep 2026 14:21 -
Why Lando Norris' New McLaren Role Could Pressure PiastriLando Norris has signalled his intention to become McLaren's undisputed leader, citing growing influence over tea...
01 Sep 2026 13:20 -
Betting on the F1 season: reading the odds and building a race-day strategyFollowing an entire Formula 1 season means constantly reassessing the competitive order. A car that excels through Mo...
01 Sep 2026 14:23
Dutch Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Dutch 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
3 - Jul 5
United Kingdom
Silverstone
17 - Jul 19
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
24 - Jul 26
Hungary
Hungaroring
21 - Aug 23
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
4 - Sep 6
Italy
Monza
11 - Sep 13
Spain
Madring
Team profile
- Team name TOM's
- Base Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan
- Marcus Ericsson 8
- 88 comments on TOM's
0 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about TOM's
Replies (0)
Login to reply