Lotterer 'not dreaming' about permanent F1 switch
Next to the Max Verstappen saga, it was Andre Lotterer's shock debut that was creating the most waves in the Spa-Francorchamps paddock.
DPA news agency said there were more journalists at the Lotterer media interviews on Thursday than there were to hear reigning quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel's thoughts.
"Andre absolutely deserves it, even if he is not sitting in the best car," Vettel admitted. "In my karting days he was one of my idols."
Officially, the 32-year-old reigning Le Mans winner's outing for Caterham - as confirmed by manager Werner Heinz - is a "one time thing".
I will not leave Audi - I'm not crazy.
Andre Lotterer
According to Germany's Sport Bild, it is being facilitated by former Grand Prix driver Bertrand Gachot, whose energy drink company Hype is sponsoring him.
"Actually Gachot didn't want Hype in Formula One, but the idea of having Andre in Belgium was too good," Heinz smiled.
The big rumour now is that Lotterer, also a star of the premier Japanese open wheeler series Super Formula, could return to the green car at Suzuka.
"I accepted Caterham's offer because I have nothing to lose," said the Belgian-raised German, who is also under contract to Audi's works Le Mans squad.
He said Audi had no problem with releasing him for a weekend that did not clash with his official duties.
"Audi came very quickly and are very happy for me," said Lotterer. "In Japan they (Team Petronas TOM's) were not so happy, because I have to miss the race in Motegi in order to be here.
"But just because I am here does not mean that I am starting to dream about Formula One," he told Speed Week. "I will not leave Audi - I'm not crazy."
Share Or Save This Story
The season is still very long - Rosberg
Jules Bianchi's father speaks of family's continued hopes
Sauber under no illusions about constructors' position
The deeper meaning of Vettel’s emotional Schumacher demo run at Monza
F1 fans left emotional after Sebastian Vettel drives Michael Schumacher's Ferrari F2002 at Monza
WATCH: Sebastian Vettel pays emotional Michael Schumacher tribute in Ferrari F2002 - "I felt him a lot today"
Marc Marquez to read Valentino Rossi’s new book “when I retire” from MotoGP
William Sawalich declines comment on wrecking Corey Day, but will NASCAR penalize him?
Why Madring’s banked Turn 12 could be crucial in the F1 Spanish GP
Jesse Love wins dramatic NASCAR O'Reilly race at Gateway
How Norris unfurled a surprising - and "unrepeatable" - Spanish GP pole lap
Audi’s long road back to the top of grand prix racing
What we learned from Friday practice at the 2026 F1 Spanish GP
What F1's risky Madrid bet needs to get right in order to pay off
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments