Lotterer refuses the Caterham F1 seat for the Italian Grand Prix
Although he had agreed to compete in the Italian Grand Prix for the Caterham F1 team, Andre Lotterer ultimately decided to refuse the seat he was supposed to share with Roberto Mehri.
Questioned by the Belgian website La Dernière Heure, Andre Lotterer explained that he was going to compete in the Italian Grand Prix, but changed his mind when he learned that the young Roberto Merhi was to take part, in his place, in Free Practice 1.
Frankly, I was hesitant, but the team insisted so much that I ended up accepting, he initially stated. But when Colin Kolles informed me on Tuesday that Merhi would take my place in the first free practice session, I went back on my decision and said it was out of the question. I’m a rookie in F1 and I need the track time. It’s not easy to give up an F1 seat, but I believe I made the right decision. I think they will eventually be forced to call Kamui Kobayashi back.
According to him, his possible participation in the Japanese Grand Prix could be compromised: « Kolles is not very happy. I now doubt that he will offer me the seat for Suzuka, especially since there is a Kobayashi grandstand there that is expected to bring them significant returns… »
