Kovalainen set to replace Räikkönen at Lotus?

In an interview with the Gazzetta dello Sport, Eric Boullier, the director of Lotus F1 Team, indicated that there are several possibilities to replace Kimi Räikkönen, who is out for the last two races of the season. Among these, the option of Heikki Kovalainen is not unrealistic.

Asked first about Davide Valsecchi, the third official Lotus driver, present at every event when available and who drove the E21 during the “Rookie Days” in July at Silverstone, the Frenchman considers that the timing may be against this solution: « If all this had happened mid-season, we would have had no doubt about giving the wheel to Valsecchi. But now that there are only two races left and we are in the race for third place in the constructors’ championship, we need a driver to bring back important points. »

Experience would therefore be a crucial criterion to ensure interim success at Lotus, with the aim of becoming competitive as quickly as possible: « Davide deserves a chance, but he lacks experience. Hülkenberg and Maldonado cannot, because they are tied to Sauber and Williams until the end of the year. » Nico Hülkenberg has indeed indicated, through his agent, that he will not be in the seat of Lotus No. 7 in Austin and Interlagos.

In these conditions, and if Valsecchi remains a possibility, it is necessary to turn to experienced drivers whose contractual obligations are less burdensome and, among them, a certain Heikki Kovalainen. The Finn, Caterham’s reserve driver, has the advantage—beyond his experience—of having had regular track time since mid-season during Free Practice 1, but also of knowing the Enstone structure. Eric Boullier does not hide that this is an option: “Yes, he is on the list,” the manager highlighting that he is also a Grand Prix winner (in 2008, in Hungary, with McLaren). For the website F1Zone, the announcement is even imminent from the team.