The name Andre Lotterer may not be well-known around the world, but the German driver will replace Kamui Kobayashi in the Caterham F1 team at this weekend’s Belgium Grand Prix. Lotterer, to those in the know, is a three time winner at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He has taken victory at the famed race in 2011/12 and 2014, each time behind the wheel of an Audi.
Part of the decision to utilise the German pilot’s services is his ability to deal with changeable weather conditions as is often the case at Spa-Francorchamps. Lotterer is no single-seat rookie as he was Jaguar Racing’s Formula One test driver in 2002. He has contested the German and British Formula 3 championships, as well as taking the Formula Nippon championship in 2011. He has also won the Japanese Super GT Championship in 2006 and 2009 showing his versatility in open- and closed top machinery.
“I am delighted to be given the opportunity to take part in a Formula One race weekend”, said the 33-year old.
The British based Formula One outfit has not yet made any statement regarding the future of Lotterer within F1, only to say that Kobayashi still remains part of the team.