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
-
Criticism of Formula 1 mounts: "The Netflix generation has won"Criticism of the new Formula 1 rules continues to swell, and analyst Peter Windsor is not sparing the sport. Accordin...
18 Mar 2026 12:26 -
Ferrari expects more duels: "Teams taking updates to Miami"Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur expects Formula 1 teams to introduce their first major upgrade ...
18 Mar 2026 14:27 -
Alonso retired early in China: "I couldn't feel my hands and feet"Fernando Alonso was forced to retire from the Chinese Grand Prix prematurely due to severe vibrations in his Aston Ma...
18 Mar 2026 15:29 -
Alonso: "I looked crazy ten years ago criticizing Honda"
Fernando Alonso believes his historical criticisms of Honda have finally been vindicated. While their current partner...
18 Mar 2026 17:31 -
Sainz on the Middle East situation: "I really hope for that"Carlos Sainz Jr. has commented on the decision to temporarily scrap Formula 1 races in the Middle East. Due to ongoin...
18 Mar 2026 16:30
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 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