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Fernandes enjoys 'clear' progress

Tony Fernandes has praised both of his drivers © Sutton Images

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Caterham team principal Tony Fernandes believes that there has been "clear evidence of the progress" the team has made so far this season.

Having established itself as the best of the newer teams in 2011, Caterham's target for this season was to join the midfield battle. Although in qualifying the team has only once made Q2 courtesy of Heikki Kovalainen in Bahrain, the car is more competitive in race trim and Fernandes said that the opening flyaway grands prix had been "encouraging".

"We head back to Europe after what has been an encouraging first four races for the team," Fernandes said. "We may not have quite bridged the gap to the midfield pack yet, but we are clearly much closer than we were this time last year, particularly on race day when we have seen clear evidence of the progress we have made."

Fernandes added that he was pleased with the performances of his two drivers, and feels Kovalainen has been unlucky in races this year.

"Having been with us for four races now, I am very pleased with the job Vitaly has been doing for the team. He is obviously a fighter and he is pushing his team mate well, especially on Sundays, and that is good for the whole team. I think Heikki is due a run of better luck in the races as he has been pushing extremely hard in qualifying, particularly to get himself into Q2 in Bahrain, but he has not had the same luck when the lights go out on race day. Hopefully that will change in Barcelona and we will be able to see both cars fighting to the chequered flag on Sunday."

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