The 2008 Hungarian Grand Prix winner’s original three-year deal with the team expires at the end of the season but the financial implications of potentially failing to finish in the top 10 of the constructors’ championship have led to question marks over Kovalainen’s future.
A number of drivers capable of bringing sponsorship to Caterham have held discussions with the team, including test driver Giedo van der Garde and Marussia driver Charles Pic.
Fernandes has admitted that he “cannot discount” going down the pay driver route.
“At the moment there is no movement, I’m waiting on what Tony wants to do,” Kovalainen told AUTOSPORT.
“He has different options and has to decide what route he wants to take with drivers.
“The fact is, I don’t bring money and I get paid. Whether that’s the deciding factor or not, I don’t know.
“We still have a good relationship. I’ve been with him for a long time already and I trust him 100 per cent. But at the same time, I need to keep my eyes open in case he wants to go the other way.”
Despite Kovalainen’s options outside of Caterham appearing limited by his lack of sponsorship, he does not believe that it’s certain he will be frozen out of a race seat if he isn’t retained by the team.
“No, not really,” he said when asked if there are no alternatives if he doesn’t stay at Caterham.
“The main thing now is to keep the focus, drive the car as fast as I can and keep pushing the team.
“That is what I’m paid to do and we will see what happens next year. Hopefully, we can resolve it sooner rather than later.”
Virgil Ernest Irvan III Kenny Dale Irwin Jr Dale Arnold Jarrett Jimmie Kenneth Johnson Kasey Kenneth Kahne
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