Kovalainen accepts penalty as Caterham prepare for Malaysia

After showing relatively competitive pace throughout the Australian Grand Prix before both Caterhams’ retired due to steering issues, the team are confident they can replicate such competitiveness throughout this weekends Malaysian Grand Prix. However, the race will be made much harder as Kovalainen will suffer a 5-place grid drop.

The Finn passed Sebastian Vettel under Safety Car conditions as he rushed into the pit-lane at last weekends Australian Grand Prix, forcing the race stewards to impose a 5-place grid penalty for this weekends Malaysian Grand Prix. This will mean Kovalainen will most likely qualify last for the race, making his run down to turn 1 all the more difficult.

“I’ve accepted the penalty I was given for passing Vettel under the safety car,” said Kovalainen, “It was definitely a bit harsh but the rules are set and it’s just unfortunate I made a small mistake that will put me back five places on the grid at Sepang. It’s not really a problem - we know we can pass the cars that will probably be ahead on the grid and I’ll just have to do my best to put myself as far up the grid as I can on Saturday so we can minimize the effect of the penalty in the race.”

Caterham’s Team Principal, Tony Fernandes, is pleased to be back home to one of the teams two home races. However, he is realistic with the teams ambitions ahead of the second round of the Championship.

“I am very glad we are back home as Caterham and it feels like only yesterday that we were making our debut at Sepang, and recording what was for us an historic first appearance in Q2 in only our third ever race. While I would obviously like to see us repeat that in 2012 I am not sure if we are quite there yet.

“However, in the race I think it looks like a different matter. At the end of last year we were agonizingly close to a number of cars ahead, and this year our race lap times in Australia were on a par with at least three cars ahead. With a bit of luck, which obviously deserted us in Melbourne, I think the Malaysian race will give us a chance to show just what we have achieved over the winter, and that gives us good reason to be optimistic about the weekend ahead.”

With rain expected during the race on Sunday, this could form the luck Caterham so desire.

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