Next to the Max Verstappen saga, it was Andre Lotterer's shock debut that was creating the most waves in the Spa-Francorchamps paddock. DPA news agency said there were more journalists at the Lotterer media interviews on Thursday than there were to hear reigning quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel's thoughts. "Andre absolutely deserves it, even if he is not sitting in the best car," Vettel admitted. "In my karting days he was one of my idols."
Officially, the 32-year-old reigning Le Mans winner's outing for Caterham - as confirmed by manager Werner Heinz - is a "one time thing". According to Germany's Sport Bild, it is being facilitated by former grand prix driver Bertrand Gachot, whose energy drink company Hype is sponsoring him. "Actually Gachot didn't want Hype in formula one, but the idea of having Andre in Belgium was too good," Heinz smiled.
The big rumour now is that Lotterer, also a star of the premier Japanese open wheeler series Super Formula, could return to the green car at Suzuka. "I accepted Caterham's offer because I have nothing to lose," said the Belgian-raised German, who is also under contract to Audi's works Le Mans squad.
He said Audi had no problem with releasing him for a weekend that did not clash with his official duties. "Audi came very quickly and are very happy for me," said Lotterer. "In Japan they (Team Petronas TOM's) were not so happy, because I have to miss the race in Motegi in order to be here. But just because I am here does not mean that I am starting to dream about formula one," he told Speed Week. "I will not leave Audi -- I'm not crazy." (GMM)
Lotterer won't leave Audi for F1: "I'm not crazy"
- Published on 22 Aug 2014 12:13
-
0
- By: Rob Veenstra
.
Trending news
-
Red Bull paid Marko millions to keep quiet about internal power struggleHelmut Marko received an eight-million-euro severance package from Red Bull Racing when he left the team at the end o...
06 Aug 2026 16:33 -
Fernando Alonso's £3m hypercar turns heads in MonacoFernando Alonso turned heads in Monaco this week, not for his driving at the circuit but behind the wheel of his Lamb...
06 Aug 2026 15:31 -
Audi set to extend Hülkenberg deal, blocking Sainz moveNico Hülkenberg is in advanced discussions with Audi over a two-year contract extension, according to Formula 1 ...
06 Aug 2026 14:29 -
Why Newey thinks Alonso will extend despite contract doubtsAdrian Newey has expressed confidence that Fernando Alonso will remain at Aston Martin for 2026, describing the two-t...
06 Aug 2026 13:27 -
Why Johnny Herbert rejected Lewis Hamilton's 'bad luck' defenceJohnny Herbert has rejected Lewis Hamilton's assertion that his pitlane speeding penalty in Hungary was simply ba...
06 Aug 2026 12:25
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
3 - Jul 5
United Kingdom
Silverstone
17 - Jul 19
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
24 - Jul 26
Hungary
Hungaroring
Driver profile
- Team Red Bull Racing
- Points 3,521
- Podiums 129
- Grand Prix 242
- Country NL
- Date of b. Sep 30 1997 (28)
- Place of b. Hasselt (Belgie), NL
- Weight 70 kg
- Length 1.8 m
- 840,886 comments on Red Bull Racing
983 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Max Verstappen
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