“The Caterham F1 Team is delighted to announce that it will be racing at the final Formula 1 Grand Prix of the season in Abu Dhabi next week thanks to the support of the fans, who have helped the team raise enough money to make it possible through Crowdcube, the world’s leading investment crowdfunding platform.”
So reads an announcement on the Caterham F1 Team website. At least Bernie will be happy his F1 fans can afford to pay for an F1 team, even if its for one race only.
Caterham’s appearance in Abu Dhabi will be in contrast to the fact the team has made its 230 staff redundant. Apparently that move has been done with the staff’s blessing so that they may commence formal claims, assuming a buyer cannot be found. No wages have been paid at Caterham since 30 September.
Kamui Kobayashi will drive one of the cars in Abu Dhabi, but former teammate Marucs Ericsson, armed with the security of a job in 2015, has told Caterham to bugger off.
So, too, has Andre Lotterer, who drove for Caterham in Spa earlier this year.
That leaves reserve driver Roberto Mehri claiming the drive is his and he has a contract to prove it. Haha, kids these days.
Good luck to Caterham in Abu Dhabi. But really, what a mess!
[Source: Autosport]
One reply on “Caterham F1 Team ready for one last dance”
Small problem for Roberto Mehri – does he have a FIA Super License? Even if his contract is worth the paper it was printed on, that’s still an obstacle.
There was a rumour that Rubens Barrichello was going to drive for Caterham if they made it to Austin and Interlagos, maybe he could take the remaining seat.
It probably won’t be anyone drafted out of the Chinese Racing Cup though – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNy0tlmRins