Absent from the starting grids in 2014…what will they do?
Unlike the rookies, newcomers in 2014, other drivers will head to different destinations. So, exit Paul di Resta, Charles Pic, Giedo Van Der Garde, Mark Webber, and Heikki Kovalainen. But what will they do in 2014 outside of the Formula 1 starting grids?
Paul Di Resta
After three rather satisfactory years with Force India, Paul Di Resta was not retained for the 2014 season, despite a fine fourth-place finish at the Bahrain Grand Prix, which remains his best performance in the discipline.
In the premier category of motorsport, all positions are highly coveted. Despite a decent sporting record, the Scottish driver also suffers from a certain coldness with the media and his engineers, according to his compatriot David Coulthard.
Di Resta has signed in DTM with the Mercedes team, with which he was world champion of the discipline in 2010. He hopes to return to F1 afterward.
Charles Pic
There will no longer be the four French musketeers in Formula 1. Charles Pic’s contract has not been renewed with Caterham. A bit of inconsistency has cost him his place in the Anglo-Malaysian team. The lack of funding from his sponsors has worked against him compared to a driver like Marcus Ericsson, for example. At present, the French driver might be a reserve for Lotus, but nothing has been officially confirmed yet.
Giedo Van der Garde
One season and then gone for the Dutch driver. Giedo Van Der Garde did not, however, underperform. The Rhenen native managed to bring the Caterham to Q2 twice, in Monaco and Belgium. These performances caught the eye of Sauber, who made him their reserve driver in 2014. The Dutchman hopes to aim for a permanent seat at Hinwil in 2015.
Mark Webber
After a great career in Formula 1 and a tumultuous final year with Red Bull, the Australian driver has decided to end his presence in the sport.
For the 2014 season, Mark signed a contract with Porsche in the LMP1 category in Endurance. He will notably participate in the upcoming 24 Hours of Le Mans. It is important to highlight the talent of the Australian, who during his career secured three third-place finishes in the World Drivers’ Championship.
Heikki Kovalainen
Luxury stand-in during the last two Grand Prix of the season at Lotus, replacing his compatriot Kimi Räikkönen, Kovalainen has not managed to secure a regular seat for 2014. He is likely paying for his clear stance of not bringing financial backing, which definitively closed the door at Caterham for him. It is now unlikely to see him again in Formula 1, but no information has yet emerged about his plans for the coming year.
