Which drivers for Caterham?

After finishing in eleventh and last place in the Constructors’ Championship in 2013, the Caterham team, led by the Frenchman Cyril Abiteboul, is facing a delicate financial situation. The choice of its drivers takes a different turn, and the team leaders must consider several elements, including experience, as recently announced by a team spokesperson: There are many drivers linked to Caterham at the moment, which is good news for us. At least one of our drivers will be experienced. It’s really important to have an experienced driver this season given the new rules. So, who are the likely candidates?

Kamui Kobayashi

For several weeks, the name of the Japanese driver has persistently appeared on the already long list of possibilities for Caterham. Kobayashi was sidelined by Sauber at the end of 2012 to make way for Esteban Gutiérrez, financially backed by Carlos Slim, the man who had already propelled Sergio Pérez into Formula 1. Having an aggressive driving style and often regarded as a talented driver, the Japanese seems to have managed to gather enough funds to become attractive again to financially struggling teams. At the end of 2012, Koba had launched a large online campaign to finance a racing seat but was unsuccessful in his attempt. This time, it seems his chances are better, combining experience with funding.

Probability of having a Caterham steering wheel: 9/10

Marcus Ericsson

Midfield driver in GP2 for three years, Marcus Ericsson is almost unknown to the general public. With only one test driving a Brawn GP in 2009 as his experience in Formula 1, it might seem a bit slim. However, he is reportedly backed by significant funding, which could appeal to Caterham, who would like to pair him with an experienced driver for more assurance in pure performance. The young 23-year-old Swede seems to be the frontrunner for a full-time position.

Probability of having a Caterham steering wheel: 7/10

Heikki Kovalainen

The relationship between Kovalainen and Caterham has always been rather strange. The Finn participated in the team’s launch in 2010 before being replaced at the end of 2012 in favor of two paying drivers. Nevertheless, the former McLaren driver shared his experience with the team by driving occasionally on Friday mornings in 2013. It was a good way for him to keep his hand in and not be forgotten in the world of Formula 1. He will replace Kimi Räikkönen at Lotus for the last two Grand Prix in 2013, although he did not manage to score any points. However, the main problem for the Finn remains financing. He has clearly stated that only his talent should be taken into account and that he would not bring any budget, which could compromise his presence on the grids, even if the team is looking for an experienced driver, which is clearly his profile.

Probability of having a Caterham steering wheel: 6/10

Giedo Van der Garde

The Dutchman enjoys a good reputation after a convincing 2013 season. He, who took a long time to finally secure a starting position, may, however, face closing doors for a second year of presence. After a hesitant start to the season, he has delivered some strong performances, particularly against his teammate, Charles Pic. However, Van der Garde does not offer sufficient funding for the last team on the grid, and only continuity and his relative experience could be appealing assets for Caterham to keep him for another year.

Probability of having a Caterham steering wheel: 4/10

Charles Pic

The more days go by, the more Charles Pic seems to be moving away from Formula 1. His entourage remains very discreet about his future for now, but the relatively disappointing performances of the Frenchman in 2013 do not work in his favor. Having managed to get noticed at Marussia in 2012 to sign with Caterham, he was plagued by bad luck. What seemed like a promotion has actually become a long uphill battle. The green and yellow single-seater proved disappointing at the start of the season, and Pic never managed to give his team the necessary impetus to bounce back. He was even outperformed by Van der Garde in pure performance at the end of the season, even though Van der Garde was less experienced. The support of Olivier Panis and the French group Lagardère no longer seem sufficient to secure his presence… unless a miracle happens or he gets a reserve driver position at Lotus in place of Davide Valsecchi, who is leaving.

Probability of having a Caterham steering wheel: 2/10

Furthermore, regarding the position of test and reserve driver, there are increasing whispers that it is the Dutchman Robin Frijns, formerly with Sauber where he held the same position, who is in advanced talks with Caterham. An announcement is expected before the official presentation of the new car scheduled for January 28 in Jerez.