Andre Lotterer linked to Caterham F1 drive for Belgian GP
Three-time Le Mans 24 Hours winner Andre Lotterer could make a surprise Formula 1 debut with Caterham at this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix


AUTOSPORT understands that the 32-year-old German, who has most recently enjoyed success as an Audi factory LMP1 driver and in the Japanese Super Formula championship, is in contention to secure a drive for the Leafield-based team at Spa-Francorchamps.
Caterham is undergoing a restructure under new owners, and the outfit made it clear in recent weeks that it was open to the possibility of changing its driver line-up.
It is also eager to shake things up in its bid to secure 10th place in the constructors' championship, with the team due to deliver a major upgrade package to its car this weekend.
One option being considered is for Lotterer to be brought in to create a fresh dynamic on the driving front.
It is likely he would replace Kamui Kobayashi, who has been told that there are no guarantees he will retain his seat until the end of the campaign.
A deal is not in place yet though, and it remains possible that the team could retain its current drivers in the event that an agreement with Lotterer cannot be reached.
Lotterer has not been behind the wheel of a contemporary F1 car since his time as a Jaguar test driver more than a decade ago, having had numerous outings for the team between 2000 and '02.
However, his recent frontrunning performances in Super Formula, including the 2011 title, mean he has plenty of recent single-seater experience.
If the German is to take part at Spa, however, he will need releasing from his commitments in Japan with TOM'S, with a race due to take place at Motegi this weekend, as well as well get permission from Audi, which he races with in the World Endurance Championship.
He will also need to get a Super Licence, which he qualifies for having finished as runner-up of the Super Formula Championship last year.
Lotterer won Le Mans in 2011-12 and this year, and took the WEC title in 2012.

F1 teams need advance warning over 18-inch wheel move - Allison
Max Verstappen to race with Toro Rosso F1 team in 2015

Latest news
Why physical fitness is an understimated challenge for IndyCar rookies
The lack of in-car physical fitness is an “underestimated” hurdle for an IndyCar Series rookie, according to Dale Coyne Racing's Indy Lights graduate Sting Ray Robb.
Bubba Wallace ‘got dumped’ by Austin Dillon in NASCAR Clash
Bubba Wallace says Austin Dillon “dumped” him out of second place in NASCAR’s chaotic Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Sunday night.
Albon warns Williams has "long road ahead" to recover in F1
Alex Albon admits that his Williams Formula 1 team has a “long road ahead” as it tries to progress up the field this year.
Toyota won’t put more pressure on Katsuta at WRC Rally Sweden
Toyota World Rally Championship boss Jari-Matti Latvala says the team won’t "put more pressure" on Takamoto Katsuta to deliver in his first drive for the factory team this weekend.
The pioneering F1 car that preceded Lotus’s terminal decline
In the hands of Ayrton Senna the actively suspended 99T would be the last F1 race-winning Lotus but, as STUART CODLING reveals, it was a complicated machine that caused more problems than it solved
How Tyrrell became a racing Rubik’s cube as it faded out of F1
Formula 1’s transformation into a global sport meant the gradual extinction for a small team determined to stay true to its low-budget roots. But Tyrrell would eventually be reborn as a world-beating outfit again, explains MAURICE HAMILTON, albeit in different colours…
Assessing Hamilton's remarkable decade as a Mercedes F1 driver
Many doubted Lewis Hamilton’s move from McLaren to Mercedes for the 2013 Formula 1 season. But the journey he’s been on since has taken the Briton to new heights - and to a further six world championship titles
Why new look Haas is a litmus test for Formula 1’s new era
OPINION: With teams outside the top three having struggled in Formula 1 in recent seasons, the rules changes introduced in 2022 should have more of an impact this season. How well Haas does, as the poster child for the kind of team that F1 wanted to be able to challenge at the front, is crucial
The Mercedes F1 pressure changes under 10 years of Toto Wolff
OPINION: Although the central building blocks for Mercedes’ recent, long-lasting Formula 1 success were installed before he joined the team, Toto Wolff has been instrumental in ensuring it maximised its finally-realised potential after years of underachievement. The 10-year anniversary of Wolff joining Mercedes marks the perfect time to assess his work
The all-French F1 partnership that Ocon and Gasly hope to emulate
Alpine’s signing of Pierre Gasly alongside Esteban Ocon revives memories of a famous all-French line-up, albeit in the red of Ferrari, for BEN EDWARDS. Can the former AlphaTauri man's arrival help the French team on its path back to winning ways in a tribute act to the Prancing Horse's title-winning 1983?
How do the best races of F1 2022 stack up to 2021?
OPINION: A system to score all the grands prix from the past two seasons produces some interesting results and sets a standard that 2023 should surely exceed
Who were the fastest drivers in F1 2022?
Who was the fastest driver in 2022? Everyone has an opinion, but what does the stopwatch say? Obviously, differing car performance has an effect on ultimate laptime – but it’s the relative speed of each car/driver package that’s fascinating and enlightening says ALEX KALINAUCKAS
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.