Kovalainen future still in balance

Heikki Kovalainen has admitted he is waiting on Caterham boss Tony Fernandes’ evaluation of “other options” before he’ll know his racing destination for 2013.

The Finn’s seat at the Renault-powered team has been linked to a number of other drivers including reserve driver Giedo van der Garde and Marussia’s Charles Pic. Both are believed to have budget to bring to the Leafield-based team, a situation that puts the former McLaren and Renault driver at a disadvantage.

"Tony knows what he gets with me but then he’s evaluating other options to see what he wants to do, and I’m waiting." Heikki Kovalainen

Speaking in Thursday’s official FIA press conference ahead of this weekend’s Indian Grand Prix, Kovalainen said: “Regarding the future with the team and with Tony, we haven’t decided yet. I think Tony knows what he gets with me but then he’s evaluating other options to see what he wants to do, and I’m waiting. In the meantime, of course, my management is also working.”

Kovalainen alluded to the budgetary concerns by adding that securing 10^th place in the Constructors’ Championship could make or break his bid to retain his seat. Caterham have been bypassed by Marussia for the lucrative 10^th position in the teams’ title race and under Formula One’s complex remuneration terms for teams that could have financial implications for Caterham should its drivers not finish better than the 12^th place achieved by Timo Glock in Singapore before the end of the season.

“My target and my focus are on each race weekend. For our team it’s quite important that we try to regain that 10th position back from Marussia,” he said. “It’s not going to be easy but I think we have to do whatever it takes to be in a position to do that if a freak race happens again. The team has to keep pushing to get that 10th position back, it’s quite crucial.”