Heikki Kovalainen says he is against the idea of paying for a seat and would therefore refuse to do so if Caterham came asking.
The Finn hasn’t yet been confirmed for 2013 with suspicions that Caterham may be looking for a driver who can bring with him substantial funding, as is the case with second driver Vitaly Petrov.
Kovalainen though is adamant he would refuse to pay for his seat.
“If that’s the case I think it’s surprising,” he told ESPN. “I think they know what they get with me and if they think it’s enough [and] they have to take someone else then I don’t think it would have any effect.”
He is of the belief that his driving should be enough to secure him his seat, and says he’s done enough in 2012 to impress the Caterham bosses.
“I don’t think I need to prove anything; I think I’ve proven through this year enough. I’ve been two times in Q2 and I’m getting the maximum out of my car regularly so I don’t think I need to prove anything.
“The fact is I don’t bring any money, I told my management not to collect money, I don’t want to do that. If somebody was coming and backing me and supporting me then fine, but I don’t like that idea.
“If I’m not good enough to stay here just with my own skills then so be it, it doesn’t bother me too much. That’s life.”
