Pic makes switch from Marussia to Caterham

Charles Pic made his expected move from the Marussia F1 team to the Caterham team ahead of the Brazilian Grand Prix last month.

The 22-year-old Frenchman, has impressed during his debut season in Formula One and had been as high as eleventh in Brazil before he was overtaken by Caterham’s Vitaly Petrov.

That move ironically meant that Caterham snatched back the crucial tenth spot in the Formula One constructors championship, which brings big financial backing to the smaller teams at the back of the Formula One grid.

Some have even suggested that it was a little bit to convenient for Pic, but it looked a valid move at the time under DRS and Caterham have generally had a quicker car over the course of the season, hence Pic’s move for 2013.

‘I am very proud to be able to confirm that I am joining Caterham F1 Team next year, I’m enthusiastic to have the opportunity to continue to grow in a team that has a technical relationship with a number of French global companies [most notably Renault]. Pic told the BBC.

‘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.’

It isn’t clear yet who will be Charles Pic’s team-mate at Caterham next season, both 2012 drivers Vitaly Petrov and Heikki Kovalainen both remain in contention, whilst Dutch reserve driver Guido van der Garde could also be an option.

Petrov is currently trying to fund sponsorship in a move to try and convince Caterham to keep him on, whilst Kovalainen has always made it clear that he does not intend to become a pay-driver.

So the duo provide very different opportunities for Caterham. Then of course there is Bruno Senna who has lost his seat with Williams.

The Brazilian would come with decent financial backing and a consistent season driving for Williams which resulted in ten points paying finishes in 2012.