Finn would rather stay put than join a midfield outfit
Last Updated: November 30, 2011 6:30pm
Heikki Kovalainen: Would only leave Caterham for 'a really top seat'
Heikki Kovalainen has insisted he is happy at Team Caterham and would only consider leaving for a top Formula One team.
The Finn has just completed his second season with the team, whose name change from Team Lotus was confirmed by the FIA on Wednesday.
Kovalainen, who has another year remaining on his contract, was listed by F1's governing body as one of the team's drivers for 2012 alongside Jarno Trulli.
His name has been mentioned in passing with a move to the Lotus Renault team - where he made his F1 debut in 2007 - although they announced on Tuesday that Kimi Raikkonen was joining them after a two-year hiatus from the sport.
With the likes of Vitaly Petrov, Romain Grosjean and Bruno Senna all in the frame, Lotus Renault have yet to nominate their second driver.
However, they largely struggled after a promising start to 2011 and Kovalainen said he would rather help take Caterham forward than move to a midfield outfit.
"I really have to be fair with Tony [Fernandes, team boss], and last year I agreed for two more years because I could see a year in this team would not be enough," the 30-year-old told Autosport.
"So I am already signed for next year and to be honest it would need to be a really top seat before I would even mention it to Tony.
"And if there was a seat available at a very top team then I am sure Tony would say to me 'go for it'. But somewhere in the middle, I would not want to look at that. Our team can make a step forward next season, and I am quite glad to be part of it."
Good position
Kovalainen joined his current team ahead of their first season on the grid in 2010, having spent two years at McLaren.
Although Caterham have yet to score a world championship point, they have so far proved a more competitive proposition than fellow newcomers Virgin (now Marussia) and HRT.
"I feel I am in a good position, I have a good relationship with the team because I have been here since the beginning, so at the moment I have not had any contacts with anyone and it would need to be a serious contact. After next year, who knows," Kovalainen added.
"We need to see where we are going and I hope we make the step forward and we can do it - and at the moment there is no better place for me here, the support is great.
"With these performances I feel I have been able to take my position in the team and not just because I am good friends with Tony, but actually being able to perform but then who knows."
Credit: Sky Sports (www.skysports.com)
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