Heikki Kovalainen insists he does not need number one status at Caterham.
Entering his third year with the former Lotus team, and with his teammate Jarno Trulli reportedly on the cusp of being ousted, it is an open secret in the paddock that Finn Kovalainen is the favourite.
But that doesn’t mean the 30-year-old needs a favoured status.
"I think I’ve been able to take my place in the team with at least an equal footing with my teammate," he is quoted by the Finnish broadcaster MTV3.
"As long as we have the same, I do not need anything else. It has worked so far," insisted Kovalainen.
What he would like, however, is an assurance from the team that he will not be sidelined on Friday mornings by test drivers.
For 2012, Caterham has signed Dutch GP2 driver Giedo van der Garde to take part "in a number" of morning practice sessions.
"It is still being discussed," insists Kovalainen. "It is still open.
"Of course, I am firmly of the view that we don’t need that — I would like to drive all the sessions."