JANUARY 23, 2014

Frijns considered for Caterham race seat

Caterham's team boss has tipped its new reserve driver Robin Frijns to rise to the very top of formula one.

Caterham's team boss has tipped its new reserve driver Robin Frijns to rise to the very top of formula one.

Dutchman Frijns' F1 career to date, however, has been a struggle, as although very highly rated he lost his similar role at Sauber last year amid the Swiss team's financial troubles.

But he has been snapped up by Caterham for 2014, with team owner Tony Fernandes admitting 22-year-old rookie Frijns was even considered for a race seat.

"Robin has the pure speed," Caterham team boss Cyril Abiteboul is quoted by the Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf. "He has already made a big impression on our engineers during his hours in the simulator.

"Robin definitely has the talent to advance to the top of our sport."

Team supremo Fernandes, meanwhile, called Frijns - the 2012 Formula Renault 3.5 champion - "the most exciting young driver out there at the moment".

He said the Dutchman was considered for a race seat in 2014 "but in the end we decided to be cautious".

(GMM)