F1: Andre Lotterer opens Caterham door for Carlos Sainz Jr

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Adapted from GMM

German Andre Lottrer is making a surprise Formula One entrance this weekend at the Belgian Grand Prix. His debuts are a revelation for Spaniard Carlos Sainz Jr.

The young Sainz, 19, was expected to kick off his F1 career next season with Toro Rosso, but was pipped by the even younger Max Verstappen, 16.

At one point, Sainz was also supposed to race for Caterham, as early as this season, but negotiations with Leafield fell through.

Now, 32-year-old Andre Lotterer is the surprise Caterham rookie at the Belgian Grand Prix. He is replacing regular Kamui Kobayashi, and a major factor was the arrival of the Le Mans winner's sponsor Hype.

Andre Lotterer, Caterham CT05 (Photo: WRI2)

The Spanish daily AS reports that Red Bull might try again to push rookie Carlos Sainz jr into Kobayashi's car, perhaps even for Monza next month.

"Nothing is finalised," a spokesman for the Spanish youngster is quoted by El Mundo Deportivo .

And Roberto Merhi, a Spanish DTM driver, is at Spa this weekend and also linked with a 2014 Caterham drive under the new regime headed by Colin Kolles.

"Merhi, 23, is a talented driver but he also has the necessary financial support thanks to Russian businessmen", the sports newspaper revealed.