Caterham hints Pic in team’s plans for future

Caterham’s new boss Cyril Abiteboul has all but confirmed paddock speculation Charles Pic is set to arrive at the team from Marussia for 2013.

And he said that would be part of the Tony Fernandes-owned team’s new "three year plan".

On the issue of Frenchman Pic joining Caterham, France’s f1i quoted Abiteboul as saying: "This is a three year plan that we are working on, and there are still many factors that need to come together so that it is a reality.

"But this project seems interesting for everyone," said the Frenchman.

It appears that highly rated Finnish driver Heikki Kovalainen is being pushed out by ’pay drivers’ due to Caterham potentially losing lucrative Concorde Agreement income to Marussia.

Kovalainen admitted on Thursday that Brazil could be his last grand prix.

It is believed that the main contender for the seat alongside Pic next year is the sponsored Dutch driver Giedo van der Garde.

"There is at least one more seat open," said Kovalainen in Brazil. "It is still possible that I will get it.

"From my experience, I only know that when things drag on for this long, it’s never a good sign," he admitted.