Using the data contained in the “Black Book Formula One,” we guesstimated the money Caterham will receive this winter in preparation for the 2013 season.

“Black Book Formula One” is a 300-page softbound book published in the UK by SportsPro Media Ltd.

Big battle this season between Caterham and Marussia for the 10th place in the constructor's championship. (Photo: Charles Coates/LAT Photographic)

However, can we rely on the figures it contains? During a dinner held during the week of a previous Canadian GP, I sat beside the account manager of a top Formula 1 team who told me: “Well... For people who do not have access to the contracts and the legal documents, I have to admit that their numbers are pretty close to reality...”

The 2010 edition of the Black Book disclose the approximate money each team receives, based on the 2009 constructor's championship. Only the top 10 teams receive payments.

1: Mercedes GP (from Brawn): $52M
2: Red Bull Racing: $48M
3: McLaren: $46M
4: Ferrari: $45M
(5: Toyota, but withdrew from the sport at the end of the 2009 season)
6: Sauber: $38M
7: Williams: $38M
8: Renault: $37M
9: Force India: $35M
10: Toro Rosso: $33M

This year, there was a huge battle between Caterham and Marussia for the 10th place in the constructor's championship. In the end, Tony Fernandes' Caterham clinched that magical 10th place when Vitaly Petrov crossed the line in 11th place at the end of the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Cyril Abitboul, Caterham Team boss, happy with the 11th place of Vitaly Petrov after the Brazilian Grand Prix. (Photo: Charles Coates/LAT Photographic)

Best placings per team:
Caterham, Vitaly Petrov: 11th place in Brazil
Marussia, Charles Pic: 12th place in Brazil
Marussia, Timo Glock: 12th place in Singapore
Caterham, Heikki Kovalainen: 13th place in Monaco and Abu Dhabi
HRT, Narain Karthikeyan: 15th place in Monaco
HRT, Pedro de la Rosa: 17th place in Valencia, Singapore, Abu Dhabi and Brazil

So, according to the figures published in the Black Book, we can assume that Caterham should receive at least $30M in bonus from the holder of the commercial rights, in addition to the money they get from their sponsorship contacts.