3 uncertain teams for the 2015 season
Three Formula 1 teams are uncertain about being on the starting grid for the 2015 season due to significant financial difficulties. To make up for the possible loss of these teams in terms of the number of cars, the wealthiest teams might run three cars for the 2015 season.
Funding a Formula 1 team is not an easy task, and some teams struggle more than others, especially when they’re stuck at the back of the grid. The issue is not new, but three teams are reportedly in serious financial trouble, which could even jeopardize their participation in the 2015 Formula 1 World Championship.
These three teams are none other than the last three teams in the constructors’ championship – Marussia, Sauber, and Caterham, which do not have the same media exposure as the top teams or not for the right reasons. Here is an overview of their situation.
Caterham
Since the departure of Tony Fernandes, the team is owned by a consortium of mysterious investors from Dubai who are based in Switzerland. However, this consortium is facing serious financial problems. Nevertheless, the new Caterham team director, Manfredi Ravetto, wanted to reassure in an interview with the official F1 site: « We are currently testing our 2015 car in Cologne, in Toyota’s wind tunnel. Obviously, you can’t run your car in Cologne just because of your extremely pleasant attitude. You can only do it with an injection of money – which we have done. And if we are testing the car in Cologne, it is because we are committed to preparing for next season. »
Marussia
The future of the Anglo-Russian team is also uncertain, but sporting director Graeme Lowdon insists to *Sporting Life* that Marussia will be on the starting grid in 2015: « You cannot give a false impression of nonchalance by saying ‘yes, we are fine’ because it is always a challenge for companies operating in this environment. If we didn’t think we could be here, then we wouldn’t be here. »
Clean
The Hinwil team is the third team whose future is very uncertain for the 2015 season. Oleg Sirotkin, leader of the International Institute of Aviation Technology company that supports the placement of his son Sergey within the Swiss team, believes that the situation is complicated and that his son is not certain to be able to drive for Sauber in 2015: « In my opinion, it’s 50-50, there have been many problems, one of which is the unstable situation of the teams. Nothing guarantees that we will be there in 2015. We are working closely with Sauber, but they might have a problem. »
