Kobayashi linked to possible Lotus seat as Grosjean future questioned
Japanese driver Kamui Kobayashi has emerged as a candidate to replace Romain Grosjean at Lotus for the 2013 Formula One season, according to Finnish media reports.
Kamui Kobayashi has become a contender for the second Lotus F1 seat as the Enstone team weighs up whether to retain Romain Grosjean for 2013, according to a report from Finland’s Turun Sanomat. The Japanese driver, recently dropped by Sauber, is now being considered as a possible team-mate for Kimi Räikkönen.
Kobayashi emerges as a contender for Lotus seat
Romain Grosjean’s future at Lotus is uncertain after a turbulent 2012 season. Heikki Kovalainen, who was at risk of losing his Caterham seat, has also been linked with the Lotus vacancy. Grosjean’s position has come under scrutiny after a season marked by both speed and inconsistency, including several high-profile incidents and a first-lap ban at Monza.
Lotus’s 2012 performance and driver evaluation
Lotus finished fourth in the 2012 constructors’ championship, with Kimi Räikkönen scoring 207 points and finishing third in the drivers’ standings. Grosjean managed 96 points and eighth place. The difference in points between the two drivers contributed to Lotus finishing behind Ferrari in the team standings.
Team principal Eric Boullier and sponsor Total have expressed support for Grosjean, but the team’s management is reportedly considering whether a more consistent driver could help secure a better constructors’ championship result and the associated prize money. Lotus owner Gerard Lopez has questioned whether pairing Räikkönen with a steadier team-mate would be a wiser move financially.
Kobayashi’s options after Sauber exit
Kobayashi, who lost his Sauber drive to Esteban Gutiérrez, has been seeking a way to remain in Formula One. He has launched a fundraising campaign via a support website to attract backing for a 2013 seat. The Finnish report claims Lotus is now among the teams considering him, following earlier speculation linking Heikki Kovalainen to the same vacancy.
Lotus has yet to confirm its 2013 line-up, with the second seat still open amid ongoing negotiations with potential investors.
Seat remains unconfirmed amid investor talks
The uncertainty around the second Lotus seat is linked not only to driver performance but also to ongoing talks with new investors. Brazilian journalist Livio Oricchio has reported that the team is leaving the decision open while it negotiates with a group of backers, allegedly involving Bernie Ecclestone. The identity of any new team boss remains unclear, though Flavio Briatore has been ruled out by Oricchio.
Team priorities and future outlook
Grosjean’s future at Lotus is complicated by his support from both Boullier and Total, but his error-prone 2012 campaign has forced the team to consider alternatives. The decision will likely depend on whether Lotus prioritises raw pace or reliability and consistency in its push to move up the constructors’ order. Alain Prost, speaking to RMC Sport, highlighted the dilemma facing the team as it weighs up its options for 2013.
- Kobayashi: seeking a 2013 F1 seat after Sauber exit
- Grosjean: under review after mixed 2012 performance
- Kovalainen: also linked to Lotus amid Caterham uncertainty
With the driver market still unsettled and Lotus’s investor talks ongoing, the identity of Räikkönen’s team-mate for 2013 remains undecided. Kobayashi’s inclusion in the frame highlights the uncertainty still surrounding the second Lotus seat as the new season approaches.
