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Kamui Kobayashi will once again retain his Caterham seat for the Russian Grand Prix, with Roberto Merhi stepping in for FP1.

Kobayashi lost his seat to Andre Lotterer in Belgium, with his place in the team are continuing source of speculation since. However he has retained his seat at every round since Spa and will once again be in the car for F1's maiden grand prix in Sochi.

The unfamiliar circuit may present something of a challenge to the grid this year but Kobayashi admits he undertook some rather unorthodox training to ready himself.

"It's always extremely exciting to race at a new circuit," Kobayashi said. " I had a chance to do a few laps of this new Russian circuit in Sochi with the Codemasters 2014 F1 Game in Suzuka last week and, even though it was a video game, it seemed like an interesting circuit because of its mix of corners, some of them very tight, and high speed sections. I am looking forward to driving there in real life. It will be an interesting challenge for us all and we will do our best. Our thoughts are also with Jules [Bianchi] and his family at this difficult time."

Merhi, a member of the Mercedes-Benz junior team, is relishing the opportunity to continue to prove his F1 credentials after an impressive FP1 outings at Monza and Suzuka.

"I feel much more comfortable in the car and this gives me more and more confidence when I drive out of the garage each time," Merhi said. "This is my second time in Russia this year, but my first time in Sochi - it's a country that definitely brings me good memories, as back in July I won the first Formula Renault 3.5 race of the weekend at the Moscow Raceway."

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