Caterham F1 could race in 2015 with the 2014 cars
Still seeking an investor for 2015, the Caterham team received a boost from the F1 Commission as it allowed the team to race with the 2014 cars next season if it finds a buyer.
While Marussia’s assets are set to be auctioned soon, the Caterham team continues its fight for survival. It has just received authorization from the F1 Commission (a body composed of representatives from all F1 stakeholders, including all represented teams) to compete in the 2015 season with its car if it manages to find a new owner.
Placed under judicial reorganization following disputes between former and new owners and also due to major financial difficulties, Caterham missed the United States and Brazilian Grand Prix before returning in Abu Dhabi thanks to a crowdfunding operation.
The court administrators are still looking for buyers to allow the structure to continue in 2015. However, in order to facilitate this search in this exceptional situation, the F1 Commission has decided to allow the team to compete in the next season with its car.
Such a gesture allows the potential investor not to worry about construction and development expenses for a new car, just a few weeks before the first tests of the 2015 season. The decision should be ratified this week at the World Motor Sport Council meeting to be held in Doha.
The administrator, Finbarr O’Connell, stated to Sky Sports: The F1 Commission and the FIA have agreed, if it can help the weaker teams, that they can use the car next year to give them more time and options. It’s in the interest of all the parties I’m talking to since it gives them a choice, an easier start to enter F1 if they choose this path. It helps.
While an agreement before Christmas was essential, this new situation provides more time: « Before Christmas would be ideal. Now, it doesn’t have to be done absolutely, but the sooner the better from my point of view, and I encourage people as much as I can. It’s a tough decision to make for anyone due to the enormous costs of a F1 team. I’m still in talks with a few interested parties, and I hope one of them will be able to make the sale. »
« The number of people I am talking to has increased, with two very strong candidates, and a third less solid. All I can do is show what I have, show the team, the assets, and the facilities, and facilitate the decision-making process in any way. I remain confident that something will be concluded. »
