Andre Lotterer has spoken out after Friday practice, saying how surprised he was that his Le Mans Prototype Audi feels quicker than the current Caterham car.
Lotterer has been drafted in for this weekends Belgian GP in place of Kamui Kobayashi. It is believed that the deal is only mean to last one race.
After being a test driver for Jaguar back in 2002, Lotterer’s first real taste of a real F1 weekend came during the first two practice sessions in Belgium. However he realised that he is able to push his Audi harder into corners.
“There is a lot more power [in the F1 car] – it would be nice to have that much power in an LMP1 car – but then in the corners it is the opposite,” he told Sky Sports F1.
I think our Michelin tyres are a bit better, we can push them much harder and do over 700km on one set of tyres and [the car has] more downforce as well so you can push an LMP1 a bit more in the corners.
“So that was the surprising thing, but we did come a bit low on downforce here so I expect the car to become better. But you do have to restrict yourself and apply yourself a lot.”
Lotterer first found out the intentions that Caterham wanted him to race, was just after the Hungarian GP. But in order for him to race, Lotterer has to miss a Formula Nippon event in Japan, despite being a contender for the title.
“Three weeks ago I got a phone call from the team and then I had a bit of a dilemma,” he explained.
“Doing a Formula 1 race is something I’ve always wanted to do and the opportunity came.
“For sure it is a big challenge to come in like this and get up to speed and learn everything, but I don’t have much to lose, it is a good opportunity and my career doesn’t depend on this race so I’m pretty relaxed.”
