Timo Glock

Caterham is expected to replace Vitaly Petrov's Russian millions next year with the well-backed Frenchman Charles Pic, who currently is Glock's teammate at Marussia.

But with Marussia currently placed tenth in the constructors' championship, Caterham stands to lose its projected $20 million in Concorde Agreement earnings, according to Germany's Auto Motor und Sport.

That has endangered Finn Kovalainen's seat, who like Glock is actually paid to drive.

If Caterham cannot win back tenth and the reported $20m, boss Tony Fernandes is apparently considering 'pay drivers' Giedo van der Garde or Bruno Senna to replace Kovalainen.

German Glock said: "If the difference between tenth and eleventh is really worth $20 million to Caterham, I'd rather have an experienced driver who can protect that tenth place for me.

"No pay-driver brings that much money," he argued.