Charles Pic signed on a multi-year deal with Caterham for 2013

Frenchman Charles Pic has been signed by Caterham on a multi-year deal starting next season, in a move which will see the 22-year-old move from Marussia to Caterham to replace either Heikki Kovalainen or Vitaly Petrov at the team. Pic has unquestionably impressed many so far this season, and will aim to continue doing so next season.

After graduating from GP2 to Formula 1 for the 2012 season, Charles Pic initially struggled at the start of the season, largely due to the new tracks the Frenchman was striving to learn. But once the F1 fraternity moved back to Europe, and tracks that Pic knew well, the rookie’s form improved greatly. This saw him out-qualify and even out-race vastly experienced team-mate Timo Glock on a regular basis.

As the Frenchman’s form improved as the season progressed, many began linking him to a move further up the order. With the likes of Max Chilton poised to team-mate Timo Glock next season, Charles Pic was speculated to be moving to Caterham several months ago. With the F1 fraternity gearing up for the final race of the season around Sao Paulo’s Interlagos circuit, Caterham have finally ended the speculation and have officially confirmed Charles Pic as one of their drivers for 2013.

"Throughout the 2012 season we have been monitoring the progress that Charles has made, challenging us on several occasions in qualifying, and it is clear that he is a special talent.” Explained Caterham’s team principal, Cyril Abiteboul. “As the year has progressed he has performed extremely well against a very experienced team-mate and we are looking forward to seeing him develop further within the environment we will provide in 2013 and beyond. Being able to make this announcement before the end of the current season gives us the chance now to allow Charles and the team to prepare fully for the 2013 season and quickly learn how to maximize the performance benefits of the Renault Sport F1 and Red Bull Technology power-train that will be new to him."

Charles Pic is understandably thrilled to receive such an opportunity to progress further up the F1 ladder, as Caterham themselves continue improving at each event. The team have quickly become regarded as the top of the three “new” teams in the sport, alongside Pic’s current team Marussia and HRT.

"I am very proud to be able to confirm that I am joining Caterham F1 Team next year and I’m looking forward to many seasons of successful racing co-operation.” Said Charles Pic, “It is clear that the team has great ambitions for the future: the investments already made and the decisions taken in the last few months show how committed the shareholders are to succeed and demonstrates their willingness to keep going forward. I am very excited about starting my second year in F1 with a team that has so much potential. Caterham F1 Team has everything in place to help it move into a position to fight with a number of teams ahead. I know how determined the team is to keep progressing and I am looking forward to playing my part in helping them move up the grid."

Charles Pic, like many other drivers on the grid, made his way to Formula 1 through the GP2 feeder series, taking numerous race victories along the way before making the “graduation” to Formula 1 this season with Marussia. It’s clear that Charles Pic has the potential to succeed in the sport and this move to Caterham is certainly a move in the right step for the French driver.

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