Lotterer

[p-matt]

Rumours doing the rounds, and being reported on Autosport, that Andre Lotterer is close to replacing Kobayashi at Caterham for Spa.

A completely off-the-wall move. The man hasn't tested an F1 car in well over ten years! It doesn't really inspire confidence in what Albers and Kolles are doing. But then again, the Super Formula cars are arguably as close as you'd get to an F1 car, so he has some recent relevant experience. I'd be very intrigued to see how he would get on

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Will Kobayashi replace Lotterer at Audi then? He'd be mighty in Super Formula...

...anyway, somehow I reckon Albers read Autosport's "Top 50 drivers who never raced F1" feature last year, saw Lotterer's name and thought "if I were a team principal..."

[Bandicoot17]

Originally Posted by Biscuits In A Red Bull

...anyway, somehow I reckon Albers read Autosport's "Top 50 drivers who never raced F1" feature last year, saw Lotterer's name and thought "if I were a team principal..."

I think it's probably more that Lotterer drove Kolle's R10 before his Audi factory days.

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

Originally Posted by Bandicoot17

I think it's probably more that Lotterer drove Kolle's R10 before his Audi factory days.

Are you telling me that there is a more convincing theory than mine????!!!!!

[Bandicoot17]

Originally Posted by Biscuits In A Red Bull

Are you telling me that there is a more convincing theory than mine????!!!!!

Well thinking about it, it is Kolles, Albers and Caterham, so your suggestion is probably just as plausible!

[kipper]

It is an intriguing move. I'd assume that money is at the route of this (I can't imagine that Lotterer will put in a significantly better performance than Kobayashi), but I'm intrigued as to where it is coming from.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by kipper

It is an intriguing move. I'd assume that money is at the route of this (I can't imagine that Lotterer will put in a significantly better performance than Kobayashi), but I'm intrigued as to where it is coming from.

Really? I wonder how much those posting here know about Lotterer's performances in an Audi LMP? I wouldn't see the move as 'off the wall' at all. The only thing that would strike me as intriguing is why Lotterer would want to do it. It's hardly an inspiring career move.......

[m355y]

First reaction to this (not that I think Kobayashi deserves to lose his drive) is quite excited - why not? Lotterer is probably one of the most accomplished drivers in action today who hasn't had an F1 career. He's a top, top driver.

[kipper]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

Really? I wonder how much those posting here know about Lotterer's performances in an Audi LMP? I wouldn't see the move as 'off the wall' at all. The only thing that would strike me as intriguing is why Lotterer would want to do it. It's hardly an inspiring career move.......

I've seen Lotterer race in a reasonable number of prototype races over the last few years and wouldn't dispute his talent for a moment. My doubts relating to his likely performance relate to the circumstances that will form the background to this race. Aside from a single test for Toyota, it is over 10 years since Lotterer last regularly drove a F1 car; which is combined with the fact that he will not get to test in advance of Spa, plus the Caterham is hardly a good car. As a consequence, I think he'd be hard pushed to deliver any sort of performance that is better than Kobayashi.

[p-matt]

Originally Posted by kipper

I've seen Lotterer race in a reasonable number of prototype races over the last few years and wouldn't dispute his talent for a moment. My doubts relating to his likely performance relate to the circumstances that will form the background to this race. Aside from a single test for Toyota, it is over 10 years since Lotterer last regularly drove a F1 car; which is combined with the fact that he will not get to test in advance of Spa, plus the Caterham is hardly a good car. As a consequence, I think he'd be hard pushed to deliver any sort of performance that is better than Kobayashi.

Well put. I'd go as far to say that I would fear a Badoer-esque performance.

But as already said, the man has no reason to do this. And Kolles/Albers getting their mates in is no solution to the problems they have.

[Hawkwood]

Originally Posted by p-matt

Well put. I'd go as far to say that I would fear a Badoer-esque performance.

No need to worry about that I think with a car that is already the slowest, and how much slower than Marcus Ericsson could he be?

[Paradise City]

Originally Posted by p-matt

Well put. I'd go as far to say that I would fear a Badoer-esque performance.

But as already said, the man has no reason to do this. And Kolles/Albers getting their mates in is no solution to the problems they have.

A potential Badoeresque performance will be completely masked as this is a Caterham.

He's eminently qualified for a backmarker position. If he's in peak physical condition and race sharp, there's an off-chance he could even acquit himself well.

[Teretonga]

Originally Posted by p-matt

Well put. I'd go as far to say that I would fear a Badoer-esque performance.

But as already said, the man has no reason to do this. And Kolles/Albers getting their mates in is no solution to the problems they have.

Totally agree with that Matt.
Kolle's seems to be simply putting old friends into seats at Caterham because he doesn't really know or have much pull with anyone else inside the paddock. Some of the choices he's made don't really stack up very well in terms of good form, and most look like they are tottering on the edge of 'tip over'.

This is one of them.

[karimbo]

For someone who just sat in the car, he had a decent qualifying.

Plus, check out his racing pedigree...he's a very accomplished driver. but then again, he never had sponsorship pushing all the way to F1...

[NaBUru38]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

The only thing that would strike me as intriguing is why Lotterer would want to do it. It's hardly an inspiring career move.......

Those are my thoughts as well.

[GTRMagic]

Originally Posted by kipper

It is an intriguing move. I'd assume that money is at the route of this (I can't imagine that Lotterer will put in a significantly better performance than Kobayashi), but I'm intrigued as to where it is coming from.

A quick Belgian in Belgium... some sponduli from Hype Energy Drink... its a marketing opportunity just waiting to happen...

[mikuni]

Originally Posted by GTRMagic

A quick Belgian in Belgium... some sponduli from Hype Energy Drink... its a marketing opportunity just waiting to happen...

I think this sums up the thread. Case closed. Plus, aside from the numerous times Caterham have been on the verge of collapse, has anything else related to Caterham got 6 pages or responses in 2 days?

[Biscuits In A Red Bull]

However, if Kobayashi isn't secure, is Carlos Sainz Jr going to be in the running, or is Kolles looking at prospects from 2001? Seems a little odd that Lotterer is the favourite for this seat, and may even be wanted for this drive.

[Aysedasi]

Absolutely agreed.

[airbusA346]

IMO this speculation is a load of rubbish, because surely TOM'S wouldn't even consider releasing him to race at Spa, and the fact he is second in the championship.

Also the fact his last post on Instagram 11 hours ago says the following:

"Quick stop home in Belgium enjoying my boy Max! Off to Italy tonight for some #Audi R18 action in Misano and then back to Japan for #superformula round 4 in #motegi #busy #busy"

[P38 in workshop]

Interesting story,but whats in it for him beyond being able to say he drove a slow F1 car at Spa?The past link to Kolles might indicate that he could be used as a yardstick to see how much of the stream of poor results might be attributable to the drivers and how much might be the car.A Friday morning session might suffice for that and then they can collect the cash from the usual incumbents for the rest of the weekend.

The recent list in Autosport clearly showed that talent alone has not been enough to get a seat and Lotterer certainly has talent.Pity he can't find a better car in which to display it.

[Aysedasi]

Originally Posted by P38 in workshop

Interesting story,but whats in it for him beyond being able to say he drove a slow F1 car at Spa?The past link to Kolles might indicate that he could be used as a yardstick to see how much of the stream of poor results might be attributable to the drivers and how much might be the car.A Friday morning session might suffice for that and then they can collect the cash from the usual incumbents for the rest of the weekend.

The recent list in Autosport clearly showed that talent alone has not been enough to get a seat and Lotterer certainly has talent.Pity he can't find a better car in which to display it.

Agree on both counts. I certainly believe Lotterer to be a vastly superior choice (probably in any car) to Kobayashi, and just because he's not driven an F1 car for a long time means very little - the car he routinely drives in the WEC is more than likely significantly technically superior and advanced to anything he might jump into at Caterham...

It would be difficult to surprise anyone when driving what we know is a pretty poor car, but I think you can safely take it for granted that a guy who races for Audi regularly in the WEC, drives in the 24 Hours - having won it 3 times in the last 4 years (and will think nothing of doing stints equivalent to more than 2 GPs back to back - as one of the fastest drivers in the category) is probably fit and skilled enough to acquit himself well. But I may be wrong - after all, he's just a sportscar driver....... (Even if the Badoer reference is close to insulting.......).

[deggis]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

Agree on both counts. I certainly believe Lotterer to be a vastly superior choice (probably in any car) to Kobayashi, and just because he's not driven an F1 car for a long time means very little - the car he routinely drives in the WEC is more than likely significantly technically superior and advanced to anything he might jump into at Caterham...

It would be difficult to surprise anyone when driving what we know is a pretty poor car, but I think you can safely take it for granted that a guy who races for Audi regularly in the WEC, drives in the 24 Hours - having won it 3 times in the last 4 years (and will think nothing of doing stints equivalent to more than 2 GPs back to back - as one of the fastest drivers in the category) is probably fit and skilled enough to acquit himself well. But I may be wrong - after all, he's just a sportscar driver....... (Even if the Badoer reference is close to insulting.......).

That you think R18 is technically only inferior to a space ship means nothing. He might has well as be jumping to an ancient stock car but he still has no recent experience from exactly that type of car or tyres. Neither is Super Formula a F1 but at least that tells more about driver performance.

[Beryl]

I wonder if the CT05-Renault is as quick as the SF14-Toyota. I guess we'll find out at Suzuka.

It would be good to see Lotterer in F1 for a short bit. Not that he would set the world alight, but he could prove that a well traveled driver can still be competent in F1. That being said, Duval might be a better choice as he has done a bit better (in a lesser team) recently in SF. I wonder if Loic would have been rumoured to make this move had he not had his LM accident. Though thinking about the Albers-Lotterer connection from the Kolles Audi days, perhaps not.

[bella]

i heard rumours he'd had a seat fitting