2014 Review – Caterham F1: More Sparks Behind the Scenes than on the Track

The season /f1/news/19212-2014-review-sauber-f1-a-season-without-results.html was the fifth for the Leafield-based team, which entered the paddock under the name Team Lotus in 2010. Four drivers were fielded throughout a season marked by financial difficulties and behind-the-scenes challenges.

THE PILOTS

Marcus Ericsson – 19th in the overall standings (0 pts)

For the Swede, the first season was difficult. Not very lively at the wheel of a very underperforming Caterham, he endured a challenging first part of the season, although it was marked by the best result of the season for the British-Malaysian team, the 11th place at the hectic Monaco Grand Prix, overshadowed by Jules Bianchi’s performance. The Belgian Grand Prix, where he teamed up with André Lotterer, who had never driven the CT05, did not favor Ericsson, as he was outpaced by the German in free practice and qualifying.

The end of the year seemed more interesting, particularly from the Asian tour onwards, where he appeared more at ease and regularly outpaced his direct competitors. This positive momentum could not be confirmed due to the absence of his team for the American tour. Shortly before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, he announced that he was leaving Caterham to join Sauber.

Kamui Kobayashi – 22nd in the overall standings (0 pts)

Flamboyant during his first stint in Formula 1, the Japanese driver had few opportunities to show his best side during the season, languishing at the back of the grid. His season started with a terrible accident in Australia due to brake failure and never really took off. He was forcibly pushed aside by Jules Bianchi in Monaco, where he achieved 13th position (best result of the season, as in Malaysia).

Even worse, having arrived with very little equity, Kobayashi found himself, from mid-season onwards, under the constant threat of being replaced. He was ultimately replaced only once, at Spa by André Lotterer, but his race-to-race renewal made his situation precarious, and he seemed burnt out by the end of the season.

Will Stevens – 23rd in the overall standings (0 pts)

Having started the season as a reserve driver for Caterham, the Briton joined Marussia in October. He was even supposed to race in the Japanese Grand Prix for the Russian team, replacing Max Chilton, but a contractual issue decided otherwise. Ultimately, he made his grand debut in the premier class with Caterham during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which he finished in 17th and last position.

André Lotterer – 24th in the overall standings (0 pts)

Triple winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the Audi endurance driver secured a one-off entry in F1 at the Belgian Grand Prix, thanks to the support of his friend Colin Kolles, who was then at Caterham. Unfortunately, even though he was on pace during free practice and qualifying, his race ended after a few hundred meters. Called up for the Italian and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, he declined each time to repeat the experience.

L’EQUIPE

Caterham-Renault – 11th in the constructors’ standings (0 pts)

At the beginning of the season, Tony Fernandes announced that the continuation of Caterham’s F1 venture depended on results. It is clear that this was far from the case. Often outpaced by the Marussias, the CT05s were mocked for their peculiar front end, deemed the most unsightly. The Malaysian entrepreneur decided, in the summer, to sell his team to the company Engavest. Cyril Abiteboul then returned to Renault and was replaced, as team director, by Cristijan Albers, who would leave his post during the Italian GP. Manfredi Ravetto then took his place.

Improvement is noted when the team brings some enhancements during the Belgian Grand Prix, but in reality, the backstage situation is most desperate. The sale is not finalized, and the disputes between the former and new owners lead to the team’s placement into administration, in a tense context. In this situation, Caterham misses the U.S. and Brazilian GPs. A crowdfunding operation is launched by the administrators to help the team race in Abu Dhabi while, at the same time, most of the structure’s employees are laid off. The team makes an appearance at Yas Marina, but the survival of the team is far from assured.

PERSPECTIVES

At the time these lines were written, Caterham is not assured of racing in 2015. Although the FIA and the F1 stakeholders have allowed the team to compete with the 2014 car in 2015, a buyer still needs to be found. Should the team come back to life, its 2015 journey would certainly be very challenging, with the prospect of significant solitude at the back of the pack.

Find all our reviews, team by team, from the season /f1/actualite/19212-bilan-2014-sauber-f1-une-saison-vierge-de-resultats.html:

– Sauber: Une saison vierge de résultats

– Marussia: De la joie aux larmes…

– Lotus: Une saison dans les bas-fonds

– Toro Rosso: Des progrès malgré les défis à relever

– Force India: Une saison en net progrès

– McLaren: Année de transition après 20 ans avec Mercedes

– Ferrari: La fin d’une ère

– Williams: La saison du renouveau sportif