F1: Cloud Still Hangs Over Trulli's 2012 Seat

Formula 1

F1: Cloud Still Hangs Over Trulli’s 2012 Seat

Jarno Trulli's exact role with Caterham this year has not been confirmed...

SPEED Staff / GMM | Posted January 12, 2012 GMM Newswire

Doubts linger about Jarno Trulli's continued role as race driver at Caterham. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

A cloud still hangs over Jarno Trulli's race seat at Caterham for 2012.

In September last year, the Malaysian team – then known as Team Lotus – inked a new contract for the forthcoming season with the 37-year-old Italian.

But the media statement referred only to "an agreement to keep Jarno on board," with some pundits immediately noting that it could mean only an ambassadorial role.

The provisional entry list for 2012, however, named Trulli as Heikki Kovalainen's continuing teammate.

Team owner Tony Fernandes said in December: "Currently he has a contract with us."

At one point recently, Daniel Ricciardo seemed in contention for the seat alongside Kovalainen, while the latest rumor is that Vitaly Petrov is in the running.

Sky Sports News quotes Caterham's technical boss Mike Gascoyne as saying this week: "What I can say on Jarno is that he does have a contract with the team that is concrete for this year and he will be part of the team this year."