Kovalainen in talks to continue F1 driving role

Heikki Kovalainen

Heikki Kovalainen is in talks about extending his driving duties at Caterham beyond Barcelona.

In his new reserve role, the team's former racer was drafted back into the driver lineup recently, practising on Friday both in Bahrain and now Spain.

The 31-year-old was actually slower than Charles Pic in Bahrain, but on Friday in Barcelona he just outpaced Pic's 2013 race teammate, Giedo van der Garde.

Finland's MTV3 broadcaster said Kovalainen is now in talks about making further cockpit appearances this season.

"Everything is a little bit open," he admitted.

"Nothing is for sure but, yes, I believe I will have more time in the car this year," added Kovalainen.

Caterham's technical boss Mark Smith said running Kovalainen in Bahrain and Spain was "useful".

Referring to the all-new race lineup for 2013, he admitted losing Kovalainen meant Caterham "lost driver continuity".

"So in terms of having some continuity, having some connection to the previous car, (it) has been useful," added Smith.

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