Marussia F1 will finish the season, doubts about Caterham
Graeme Lowdon, Marussia's sporting director, reaffirmed that the Russian team would indeed make it to the end of the current season and is working to be on the grid in 2015. On the Caterham side, things might not be going as well according to the Dutch press.
The economic situation of certain Formula 1 teams is not looking good, particularly the two “new teams” still present on the grid, Marussia and Caterham. However, the sporting director of the former, Graeme Lowdon, wanted to clarify things and reaffirm that the Russian team will be present at the upcoming races of the year.
« We have an obligation to do our job properly, and if you don’t believe you can do it, then you have to stop. It’s as simple as that. Is managing a company in an industry with the cost structure of Formula 1 a smooth ride? No. But if we didn’t think we could be here, then we wouldn’t be here, » Lowdon told Press Association Sport.
However, he acknowledged that the situation was not ideal: “We don’t want to give the wrong impression by saying ‘yes, we’re doing well’ because it’s always a challenge to manage a company in this environment. I can say that, yes, we have the funds for this season. If we didn’t, we wouldn’t be here.”
Lowdon also added that even if he couldn’t guarantee at this time that Marussia will still be there in 2015, the Russian team and its leaders are doing everything in their power to make it happen: « No one can categorically say they will be able to race next year. No one can say it in the pit lane. Look at Honda, Toyota and BMW, who have all bowed out. These were companies that had the money to be in this sport, but chose not to. We are happy with the progress we are seeing. We are doing everything that every team could, should do at this stage. We are no different. The bottom line is: times are tough, but we are still here, on the grid, fighting, and at this moment we are doing everything to be on the grid in 2015. »
For the moment, the Marussia F1 team is in 9th place in the constructors’ championship – ahead of Caterham and Sauber thanks to the two points scored by Jules Bianchi in Monaco – and this could allow them to earn more money through television rights. They could also benefit from the support of billionaire Lawrence Stroll, who is reportedly in negotiations with the Russian team following the failure of negotiations initiated with Sauber.
On the Caterham side, things may not be going so well according to *De Telegraaf*, which reports that the team might be nearing its end, despite the arrival of investors this summer following Tony Fernandes’ departure. The Dutch newspaper cites a source close to Pirelli who explains that the Italian manufacturer is awaiting a payment from the Leafield team and is demanding a payment before the next race, which will take place in Japan at the end of next week. The team could thus follow the sad fate of Super Aguri, which started the 2008 season but did not finish it.
