F1: Kobayashi open to F1 reserve role

Kamui Kobayashi says he would be interested in taking a reserve driver role with a Formula 1 team to maintain his involvement in the sport following Caterham going into bankruptcy administration.

The team will miss at least the next two races in America and Brazil, while the administrator seeks a buyer for the beleaguered squad. Kobayashi said he had been exploring alternative options with other teams, and would consider taking a third-driver role at another outfit to stay in the sport in 2015 should one become available.

"[I have spent] some weeks looking for [another] role, but I think technically I am still a Caterham driver so maybe I cannot do too much," Kobayashi told reporters in the USGP paddock. "I can't bring money but I would happy to be a third driver to get some more opportunity.

"I want to get the best optimum thing if I see something on the table. Still I'm trying to get contact with all the possibilities and opportunities, I'm looking for that."

The Japanese racer added that he had not had any contact from Caterham in recent weeks, only learning that it would miss two races from his manager and stories on the internet.

"I think they are pretty busy so we can contact them, but we don't want to disturb," he said. "I see on the website it says we are not racing here, [and] I just got some information from my manager that we're not racing.

"The company is nothing right now but maybe I should get a sorry or I should call, but I don't need sorry or whatever.

"I need more in the future and I want to use this time for next year's approach, so I don't really think about [the lack of contact] being a problem for me. I don't know any great detail because I am a driver, but I think finally they don't have enough money, they don't have enough financial stuff and it's getting difficult."

Kobayashi added that hopes his experience of the latest specification of F1 cars will increase his value to teams in the future.

"I have to say I have thanks for this opportunity because recently I have experience with the 2014 car and the new engine, which for me is very important and maybe one day I can use this experience."