Caterham is set to announce Kamui Kobayashi's return to the cockpit for the Italian grand prix. The Japanese was sidelined two weeks ago at Spa-Francorchamps, as reigning Le Mans winner Andre Lotterer and his sponsor Hype stepped into the green car.
Caterham's new management intended to run the Russian-backed Spanish rookie Roberto Merhi in Monza, but it emerges that the FIA only granted him permission to drive in Friday practice, given his F1 inexperience. It is believed the Leafield-based team, headed by Colin Kolles, now fully intends to give the 23-year-old his race debut in Singapore, after the FIA is satisfied with Merhi's practice performance at high-speed Monza and grants him a super license.
Lotterer, who performed strongly at Spa but retired early from the race with a loss of power, has revealed he was offered the race seat for Italy but turned it down. "When Colin Kolles told me on Tuesday that Merhi would take my place for the first practice session, I changed my mind and told them I would not participate," said the Belgian-raised German and works Audi sports car driver. "I am a newcomer in formula one and I need to drive," said Lotterer.
Multiple sources are now reporting that Japanese Kobayashi, whose name is already showing above the Caterham garage at Monza, is en route to Italy. "I am headed to the country of pasta," the 27-year-old wrote in Japanese on Twitter. Kobayashi reportedly continues to lack adequate sponsorship for the seat, but Caterham has already run three drivers in 2014 and wants to keep the fourth open to Merhi for Singapore and beyond. (GMM)
Lotterer turned down Caterham, Kobayashi to return
- Published on 04 Sep 2014 08:54
-
0
- By: Rob Veenstra
.
Trending news
-
Drivers' WhatsApp Group Has "Exploded" as GPDA Confirms Widespread Frustration With 2026 RulesThe discontent among Formula 1 drivers over the 2026 regulations is not a Max Verstappen problem. It is a paddock-wid...
03 Apr 2026 14:58 -
Verstappen's Worst Season Start in Ten Years: The Numbers Behind the SlumpThree races in, Max Verstappen has twelve points and sits ninth in the world championship. By his own exceptional sta...
03 Apr 2026 16:14 -
Windsor Predicts Verstappen Will Leave F1: "The Rules Have Reduced Him to an Ordinary Driver"Peter Windsor has gone further than most analysts in his assessment of Max Verstappen's future. The veteran journ...
03 Apr 2026 13:57 -
Reconstruction: Antonelli Is Creating a Verstappen-Style Culture Shock at MercedesFormula 1 appears to have a new prodigy. Andrea Kimi Antonelli has won his first two races in China and Japan, taken ...
03 Apr 2026 12:58 -
Argentina Is Seriously Pursuing a Return to the Formula 1 CalendarFranco Colapinto has done something for Argentine motorsport that no amount of marketing could replicate: he has made...
03 Apr 2026 11:56
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
Driver profile
- Team -
- Points -
- Podiums -
- Grand Prix -
- Country ES
- Date of b. Mar 22 1991 (35)
- Place of b. Castellon, ES
- Weight 76 kg
- Length 1.79 m
0 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Roberto Merhi
Replies (0)
Login to reply