Caterham is set to announce Kamui Kobayashi’s return to the cockpit for the Italian Grand Prix. Caterham’s new management intended to run the Russian-backed Spanish rookie Roberto Merhi in Monza, but it emerges that the FIA only granted him permission to drive in Friday practice, given his F1 inexperience.

It is believed the Leafield-based team, headed by Colin Kolles, now fully intends to give the 23-year-old his race debut in Singapore, after the FIA is satisfied with Merhi’s practice performance at high-speed Monza and grants him a super license.

Lotterer not interested by sharing driving duties

“When Colin Kolles told me on Tuesday that Merhi would take my place for the first practice session, I changed my mind and told them I would not participate,” said the Belgian-raised German and works Audi sports car driver. “I am a newcomer in Formula One and I need to drive,” said Lotterer.

Kamui to the rescue in this messy situation

Multiple sources are now reporting that Japanese Kobayashi, whose name is already showing above the Caterham garage at Monza, is en route to Italy.

“I am headed to the country of pasta,” the 27-year-old wrote in Japanese on Twitter.