Five F1 teams with vacancies to fill for 2014

epa03893670 German Formula One driver Nico Hulkenberg of Sauber F1 Team in the paddock at the Korean International Circuit in Yeongam, South Korea, 03 October 2013. The South Korea Formula One Grand PShow more

The final Formula One race of the season takes place in Brazil on Sunday and several teams have yet to settle their driver line-ups for 2014. Graham Caygill looks at the five teams on the grid with vacancies, and who is rumoured to be filling those spots.

Lotus

The uncertainty with the team is financial, with doubts still lingering on investment from the firm Quantum. Ideally, Lotus want to take Sauber’s Nico Hulkenberg, but if the money is not there they may have to look to Pastor Maldonado or Sergio Perez, above, both of whom can offer sponsorship funds.

Force India

It may not be until the new year before Vijay Mallya announces who will drive for the team. Adrian Sutil, below, and Paul di Resta, the team’s current drivers. Both hope to stay, but they are under threat from Maldonado and Hulkenberg. Each has been linked with a seat.

Sauber Given the interest in his services, Hulkenburg, above, is unlikely to stay with the Swiss team, while Esteban Gutierrez is hopeful he will get a second season. Perez, who drove for Sauber for two years before moving to McLaren-Mercedes, has been linked with a move back there.

Marussia Jules Bianchi, below, is already signed up for next year after an impressive first year, but the second spot is still to be confirmed. Max Chilton, who has driven this season alongside Bianchi, has been warned by the team they will not decide if he stays on with them until next month.

Caterham Heikki Kovalainen, above, is close to a deal with the team. The Finn had driven for the team between 2010 and 2012, before missing out this season. Both Charles Pic and Giedo van der Garde hope to keep their drives, but if Kovalainen does return one of them will have to miss out.