Andre Lotterer close to F1 debut at Belgian GP

Andre Lotterer.jpg

32 year old German Andre Lotterer is in line to make a shock F1 debut at this weekend's Belgian Grand Prix for the struggling Caterham team.


With a new owner and management team it seems increasingly likely Lotterer will step in to replace Kamui Kobayashi for this weekend.

The three time Le Mans 24 Hours winner and 2011 champion has impressed over the past few seasons both with the Audi team in the LMP1 class of the World Endurance Championship and the TOM's Super Formula team.

His only stumbling block so far appears whether he will be granted permission from both Audi and the TOM's team to race in Belgium, despite having a Super Formula race this weekend at Motegi also. However, it's been rumoured this morning that an initial entry list for Motegi has listed Andrea Caldarelli in place of Lotterer for this weekend.

Whilst the talented German's last F1 experience came over 10 years ago when he was a Jaguar junior racing driver and tested for the team on a number of occasions between 2000 and 2002. The talent and results he's shown both in the WEC and in the Super Formula series suggest he's long overdue a F1 debut.

On the other hand, he will have his work cut out in Belgium in a debut race F1 weekend with a highly troublesome Caterham. It's unclear yet if this is a one-off deal or if this will extend to the end of the season.

Image: Audi Motorsport
 
D

Deleted member 161052

  • Deleted member 161052

IMO, if he finally debuts in Formula One I will see his three-letter abbreviation as "LOT" on my TV
 
D

Deleted member 161052

  • Deleted member 161052

Kobayashi's possibly set to return in Italy, too
 

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