Pic moves from Marussia to Caterham for 2013

Sao Paulo, Nov 23 (IANS) French Formula 1 driver Charles Pic announced Friday that he would join Caterham from Marussia for the 2013 season and beyond.

The French driver joins the Anglo−Malaysian team on a multi−year contract after impressing in his first Formula 1 season with Marussia.

“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 cooperation,” the 22−year−old Pic was quoted on the F1 website.

“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.”

Cyril Abiteboul, Caterham team principal, said: “We are thrilled that Charles has decided to join us for his second season in F1 and beyond. We are all looking forward to working with a young driver who has clearly shown in his first season in F1 that he has the pace, race craft and demeanour to help us achieve our goals.

Pic has acquitted himself well this year against experienced teammate Timo Glock, out−qualifying the German on several occasions and recording best race finishes of 15th place in the Australian and European Grands Prix.”

Caterham, whose current race drivers are Heikki Kovalainen and Vitaly Petrov, have yet to confirm Pic’s teammate for 2013. Similarly, Marussia are yet to announce who will replace Pic to partner Glock next season.

Pic is currently placed 23rd in the drivers’ championship standings with one race to go in the season.

IANS 2012-11-23 18:30:04