Esteban Gutiérrez to Caterham Renault?

According to *Blick*, Esteban Gutiérrez will not have his contract renewed with Sauber, who might prefer Adrian Sutil, according to the latest rumors. The Mexican driver is therefore looking for a seat for 2014 and was reportedly spotted last week at Leafield, the headquarters of Caterham, reports *Autosport*. The driver could be a good opportunity for the Malaysian team, last in the constructors’ championship, due to the financial support he receives from Carlos Slim through Telmex.

The Monterrey native’s wish is to stay with the Swiss team, according to his statements published a few days ago: “We will see what happens. Obviously, we are looking at different options, although my idea is to continue with Sauber because we have worked in good relations for a long time.” In his first season as a starting driver, Esteban Gutiérrez was able to belatedly take advantage of his Sauber’s regained potential by scoring six points for the Hinwil team at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka.

The question that arises is who among Giedo Van Der Garde, Charles Pic, Marcus Ericsson, Heikki Kovalainen, and Esteban Gutiérrez will be chosen by Caterham to form the driver duo in 2014? Autosport reports that the balance may lean towards Giedo Van Der Garde among the 2013 titular drivers: the Dutchman, in his first year, notably managed to reach Q2 in qualifying twice and made a better impression in the last races.

Charles Pic, the native of Montélimar, had difficulties at the end of this season, however, he managed to finish in fourteenth place at the Malaysian Grand Prix and the South Korean Grand Prix; his position is not assured for next season, but his experience after two full seasons as a main driver, as well as his financial backing, might still be appreciated by the Caterham management.

For some time now, a Swedish driver has been mentioned: Marcus Ericsson, 6th in GP2 with the DAMS team. He could bring eight to ten million euros to Tony Fernandes’s team: will that be enough to convince the management? Nothing is certain, especially since Cyril Abiteboul indicated, also in the pages of *Autosport*, that experience would be a factor to consider.

In this regard, Heikki Kovalainen, 32, a temporary driver for Lotus F1 in the United States and Brazil, has indicated that he is in advanced discussions with the team employing him for a permanent position in 2014. Kovalainen’s experience could be an advantage, having driven for Caterham from 2010 to 2012.

The lucky ones will be known during December, with Abiteboul wishing for the situation to be resolved quickly.