Fernandes confirms Kovalainen and Trulli
28 November, 2011
Jarno Trulli with Heikki Kovalainen
Nov.27 (GMM) Tony Fernandes on Sunday moved to clarify the uncertainty surrounding his Formula 1 team’s driver lineup for the 2012 season.
With Team Lotus becoming Caterham next season, current drivers Heikki Kovalainen and Jarno Trulli both have contracts to stay put.
But there have been rumours that Finn Kovalainen has attracted interest from rival teams, possibly Renault.
Boss Fernandes told Reuters at Interlagos: “I’ll hold on to him whatever.”
There has also been speculation about Jarno Trulli’s seat, with reports Fernandes is in talks with Red Bull to accomodate one of the energy drink’s new hopefuls Daniel Ricciardo or Jean-Eric Vergne.
“Right now we have a contract and he (Trulli) will race,” Fernandes said, without elaborating.
Rival boss Martin Whitmarsh, meanwhile, closed the 2011 season by denying McLaren’s preparations for next season will be affected by aerodynamicist John Iley’s defection to Caterham.
“John looked after wind tunnel management. He wasn’t chief aerodynamicist,” he is quoted by the Mirror.
“We are very comfortable we have good aerodynamics programme for next season,” added Whitmarsh.
Related posts:
- Trulli set to be part of Caterham 2012 plans
- Kovalainen future at Team Lotus is secure
- Team Lotus confirms Trulli for 2012
- Kovalainen happy Trulli back up to speed
- Trulli and Kovalainen set to stay at Lotus
I agree with both your comments. The rear wing they had for last weekend gained them .300 of a second!!! In F1 to improve that much with 1 upgrade is almost unheard of. Who ever is on their design team nailed it and it will be interesting how they pick through the data they collected this year to accommodate their design. Half way into next year I can see this team challenging the mid field if they continue to fine tune their chassis with parts that work as designed.
@ Evel
All good points and I too am watching this young team with a lot interest.
Was hoping the switch in motive power would vastly improve grid positions. Should be beating “Toro Roso” types next year for sure.
I think hiring M. Gascoyne, And H. Kovalainen sets them apart from teams like Virgin. HRT is at least makes noise here and there…. Virgin is just… Virgin.
A well run operation writing the playbook on how to start-up and run an successful F1 venture.
I’m starting to really like this team and Tony Fernandes.
They’ve really stood behind their drivers, even when Trulli has not had the best of seasons.
They seem to have a very clear idea of where they’re heading and how to get there.
I like the fact that they’re changing their name to Caterham so that they can create their own legacy.