As the former Caterham team's equipment is now being sold at auction, we present a short history of the five years Tony Fernandes' project spent in Formula 1.
2009 Attracted by the promise of a budget cap to be adopted by the FIA (Fédération internationale de l'automobile), rich Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes confirms that his 1Malaysia Racing project has been accepted by F1's governing body. 2010 The team begins its first season under the Lotus Racing banner, Fernandes having obtained the right to use the legendary Lotus name (which disappeared from F1 in 1994) from automobile manufacturer Group Lotus. Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen are at the controls of the green cars. The budget cap project never materialized, the team must run with a less competitive Cosworth V8 engine and its budget is not impressive, but Lotus Racing nonetheless completes its first F1 season. The team did not score any points but it finished 10th in the constructors' championship.
2011 Deals are made with Red Bull Technology and engine supplier Renault, and the team hires experienced personnel. However, Group Lotus no longer authorizes the use of the Lotus Racing name, claiming that several conditions linked to the licence were regularly broken. Tony Fernandes buys the Team Lotus name, which was owned by a private company. Group Lotus (which is in partnership with the Lotus Renault team) contests and the whole case finds itself before the courts. In the end, Fernandes wins. On track, Jarno Trulli and Heiki Kovalainen do not bring a single point home but the team retains its 10th place in the standings. 2012 Third season, third name. Tony Fernandes having acquired small carmaker Caterham, the team changes its identity. The Caterham F1 Team settles into new headquarters and replaces Jarno Trulli with Vitaly Petrov. Fernandes announces the beginning of a promising period for the team, but the results remain the same: no points and 10th place in the championship.
2013 Caterham needing funds and drivers with generous sponsors, Heikki Kovalainen and Vitaly Petrov are replaced by Charles Pic and Giedo van der Garde. These are the first clear signs that all is not as rosy as expected. Fernandes becomes impatient but continues to encourage his troops. The car seems to gain ground, but not the results. Quite the contrary, as Caterham slips to 11th place in the constructors' championship, which means a reduction in the prize money coming its way. 2014 Beginning of the end as Fernandes informs the team that points are absolutely necessary. Marcus Ericsson gets behind one wheel, while the experienced Kamui Kobayashi accepts to race without pay in exchange for this new opportunity. In July, Tony Fernandes is trying to get out of F1. He signs an agreement with a consortium of Middle-Eastern investors advised by Colin Kolles, who becomes the head of operations. Andre Lotterer replaces Kobayashi during the Belgian GP weekend, a manoeuvre aimed at raising funds.
Internal relations collapse as about forty employees accuse new management of unfair dismissal. Fernandes states that the consortium hasn't paid him; Kolles publicly criticizes Fernandes and accuses him of holding on to the share certificates. New management pulls out entirely and a court confirms that Fernandes remains the owner. In October, Caterham suspends its activities and misses the United States and Brazilian GPs. A crowd-funding campaign allows the team to race during the Abu Dhabi finale, in the hopes of attracting a buyer. But the team goes into bankruptcy and does not participate in any of the 2015 winter tests. No saviour agreed to take over the operation, therefore Caterham F1 assets are sold at auction. After five seasons and zero points, the green cars will no longer race.
Recent Articles
|
Racing Multimedia
Recommendations |