In an interview with the media today, the Caterham team have announced that Kamui Kobayashi will return to the Caterham cockpit for this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix after missing out to Andre Lotterer last time out.
The Caterham team raised a few eyebrows a fortnight ago when they handed three-time Le Mans winner Lotterer a drive for the whole weekend despite the German having very limited F1 experience. Although Lotterer admitted his drive was a one-off, there were reports doing the rounds that Spaniard Roberto Merhi, who is currently competing in the Formula Renault 3.5 Series, is set to fork out 300,000 euros to race at Monza.
However, it has been announced today that the Caterham team have confirmed that Kobayashi will race this weekend in Monza. In an interview with the media, Kobayashi is pleased that he is back in the car this weekend and respect the team and their decisions they have made so far in regards to their driver line up. Kobayashi stated the following:-
‘I am working for Caterham F1 Team and I always respect team decisions. Now I am back in the car and looking forward to going racing again! We have worked hard as a team and added performance to the car as well as bringing new updates since I last drove in Hungary before the summer break, so I’m looking forward to feeling the updates on track here in Monza.
‘I always enjoy the Italian GP, not only because of its high-speed nature; I also like the Italian fans, they are always very enthusiastic and a very big part of the Italian GP weekend. They create a very special atmosphere.’
Even though Kobayashi has stated that he respects the decisions that the team have made regarding their driver line up recently, it is clear that he appreciates the chance to be back in the car and driving once again. As I have stated previously, I have felt that Kobayashi feels that he is “above” the team so to speak as he brings experience and also the money raised from his year absence from the sport.
And this may have or may not have contributed to him not driving in the last Grand Prix in Spa alongside the comments he has made regarding his seat for the rest of the season. But it would seem that Caterham are happy for him to come back and also that Kobayashi is happy to be back this weekend.
It would seem to be that Kobayashi is happy with the steps that the team are making in regards to extracting more pace and performance from the CT05 and is looking forward to coming to Monza this weekend and enjoying the challenge it presents and the atmosphere the fans bring to the event too.
It has also been announced today that Merhi will get his chance in an F1 car as he will take part in FP1 on Friday in place of Kobayashi. In his interview with the media, Merhi has stated that he is happy with the chance to drive in FP1 on Friday with the Caterham team. Merhi stated the following:-
‘I am delighted to be taking part in my first ever Formula 1 Free Practice session and I want to thank Caterham F1 Team for this opportunity – it’s something I’ve wanted for a very long time!
‘I’ve been working very closely with the team during the last few weeks and I feel ready for this opportunity; Friday is going to be a very special day for me and one I will never forget.’
It would appear that Merhi is very happy to be given the opportunity to gain experience with the Caterham team and the CT05 this weekend in Monza in FP1. As a racing driver, Merhi feels that he is ready for this , will be happy to gain experience in a Formula One car that comes his way and will do his best to perform as well as he possibly can in order to show what he can do to try and get into Formula One as soon as possible.
Overall, even though it is great to see Kobayashi back in the car this weekend, I do feel that he will be watched even more closely by Caterham this weekend. It is now the time to show Kobayashi what he can do and use all the experience and knowledge gained in his career to help the Caterham team improve their performance as much as possible.
As if he cannot do this, I do see him not lasting the season at Caterham and could be replaced by a driver such as Lotterer who impressed with his performance in the last Grand Prix at Spa or even Merhi who does bring some much needed cash that could help out the Caterham team.
I will the first to admit that I don’t know much about Merhi but I am sure that he will grab the opportunity to gain experience in the car this weekend in FP1, show what he can do in a Formula One car and also kick start trying to secure a drive as soon as he can.
Question is; can Kobayashi and Merhi deliver for the Caterham team to the level that they need to this weekend in Monza? Only time will tell.
