Kovalainen has fewer and fewer certainties about his future
The former Renault and McLaren driver, Heikki Kovalainen, is not yet guaranteed to participate in the 2013 Formula 1 season. His presence in the Caterham team, which he has been part of for three years, is not yet confirmed for next year. It is possible that the Finn might have no other option than to turn to another discipline. Although his results are not in question, it is the financial aspect that is problematic...
Heikki Kovalainen has not yet signed a contract for the 2013 season. While Caterham has just confirmed the arrival of Charles Pic from Marussia, no information has yet been revealed regarding his future teammate. Although the position could be contested between the two current holders, Vitaly Petrov and Kovalainen, the latter is not sure to clinch the spot.
He admits that his chances of staying in Formula 1 next year are diminishing day by day: « I’m not too stressed about it. It is what it is. If it were my last race, it would be a shame, but the situation is very difficult for me and there is not much more I can do right now. If it has to be like this, it will be like that. I’m just totally focused on this weekend and I’ll try to get the best result for the team. Who knows what will happen, but from my experience, it’s never good when it’s so late in the season and things haven’t been decided. But that’s how it is. »
However, the Finn still has a few reasons to be optimistic: « I know I’m on the list. I still have a very good relationship with Tony [Fernandes, the team owner, editor’s note] and with the team, and it might well be that I stay here, but with my experience, I know how things are in Formula 1. And when it drags on, it’s never a good sign… »
The crux of the matter is, of course, the financial aspect. Kovalainen believes he doesn’t need to bring a major sponsor to secure his presence in motorsport. That’s why he doesn’t hesitate to explore other disciplines in case his Formula 1 career should come to a halt: « It won’t be the end, no matter what happens. I have a life. I’m not going to end it all. Of course, we’re looking at options outside of Formula 1, but also within Formula 1. But even other options require some money, and I don’t want to go down that path. I’ve told my manager not to actively seek money. I think it leads nowhere. If you have a major backer like Santander standing by you with a team, that’s a different thing. But gathering money for a season is pointless. »
Despite the pleasure Kovalainen had in racing for Caterham, he now realizes that the lack of significant results obtained over the last three years with the team may have prevented him from being noticed by top-tier teams: « I have reached a good level. I have rarely had bad races and often achieved more than the car allowed me to. I have a lot to offer, but the current situation in Formula 1 may not be suited for me. I can do nothing more than try to achieve the best possible results to get noticed by other teams. And if my results are not enough to move forward or stay here, then we will see… »
