Japan’s Kamui Kobayashi has been confirmed in Caterham’s new driver line-up for the 2014 Formula One season.
Formula One tail-enders Caterham rang the changes by announcing the return of popular Japanese racer Kamui Kobayashi and arrival of Swedish rookie Marcus Ericsson in an all-new 2014 driver line-up yesterday.
The long-awaited announcement completes the 22-man grid for the season starting in Australia in March and marks a fresh start for the Malaysian-owned team who have yet to score a point in four years.
The two replace Frenchman Charles Pic and Dutch driver Giedo van der Garde.
“I’m delighted that we’ve been able to bring Kamui back. He is a very popular driver and it’s very good for the whole team we’ve been able to attract such an exciting driver to join us at a critical point in our development,” said Caterham principal Cyril Abiteboul.
“His pace speaks for itself, and his extensive experience of developing cars, particularly in his years with Toyota, will be incredibly important for us as we tackle one of the most challenging seasons F1 has ever embarked upon.”
Kobayashi, who set up a website to raise the funds needed to secure a Formula One return after losing his Sauber seat in 2012, competed for Ferrari in sportscars last year.
He said it was a great feeling to be back and thanked all those fans who had contributed to make it possible.
“Their donations and gestures gave me extra strength to come back fighting and I am very pleased that the money they raised not only helped me but will now go to helping Caterham progress this year,” he said.
“Every single one of you who helped with ‘KAMUI SUPPORT’ will race with me in 2014 and that makes me very proud.”
The Japanese finished third in his home race at Suzuka in 2012 and will be his country’s sole representative on the starting grid.
Ericsson, 23, will be making his debut after competing in the junior GP2 series last year and becomes Sweden’s first Formula One race driver since Stefan Johansson in 1991.
“It’s obviously great for Sweden that we’ll have a Swedish driver back on the grid in 2014,” he said. “This is what I’ve been working for since I first started racing karts back when I was nine years old, and now I know I’m ready for the step up to F1.
“Caterham is a young team and together we can take on the challenges the new rules will present in 2014.”
Formula One has a new turbocharged V6 engine, replacing the old V8s, as well as other major technical changes to come to grips with this season.
Ericsson will not be the only rookie from Scandinavia, with Denmark’s Kevin Magnussen making his debut at McLaren.
Caterham said American Alexander Rossi would remain the reserve driver at weekends when he was not competing in GP2 with Dutchman Robin Frijns otherwise filling the role and having some time in the car during the year.
McLaren will have new title sponsor for car launch
The McLaren Formula One team have not found a new title sponsor to replace telecoms group Vodafone in time for this week’s launch of their latest car.
McLaren are in talks with potential partners but are not certain whether they will be able to bring in a title sponsor this year after the telecoms group dropped out at the end of last season.
McLaren, who last season failed to finish on the podium for the first time since 1980, said they had the funds to compete this year despite the loss of a sponsorship worth an estimated $75mn a season.
“I’m pleased to say that McLaren Racing will have a larger operational budget available to it in 2014 than it’s had in any previous season in McLaren’s history,” McLaren managing director Jonathan Neale was quoted as saying on the pitpass.com website.
Neale pointed to a roster of sponsors including clothing company Hugo Boss and the Santander banking group.
The team are owned by three shareholders who can also help to support them - Bahraini investment fund Mumtalakat, Saudi businessman Mansour Ojjeh and group chief executive Ron Dennis.
McLaren will present their new MP4-29 car on Friday in an online-only digital launch.
Di Resta returns to DTM with Mercedes
Britain’s Paul Di Resta will compete in the German Touring Car championship (DTM) with Mercedes this year after losing his Formula One race seat at Force India, the manufacturer announced yesterday.
The 27-year-old Scot won the DTM title with Mercedes in 2010. “It feels really good to be back in the DTM and to see so many familiar faces again,” he said in a statement.
“Much has changed since my last DTM race in Shanghai in 2010 with new cars, a new set of rules and a third manufacturer, but what has not changed is my enormous appetite for success.”
Force India have changed their lineup since last season with Germany’s Nico Hulkenberg and Mexican Sergio Perez their 2014 drivers.