The Caterham announcement read: “After three months of operating the Caterham
F1 Team in good faith, the buyer is now forced to explore all its options
including the withdrawal of its management team. Lawyers have been
instructed by the buyer to bring all necessary claims against all parties,
including Mr Fernandes who, as an owner, will run the F1 operation.
“Since the date of the sale, the seller has refused to comply with its legal
obligations to transfer their shares to the buyer. The buyer has been left
in the invidious position of funding the team without having legal title to
the team it had bought.”
Fernandes later responded by tweeting: “If you buy something you should pay
for it. Quite simple.”
The news is the latest in a series of frenzied press statements in recent
months as the team’s troubles have multiplied. After five years without a
point, a frustrated Fernandes turned his back on the team. Since then, 40
staff were dismissed. They sued the team, before Caterham counter-sued the
departed employees.
Kamui Kobayashi’s seat appears to have been repeatedly put out for auction to
the highest bidder, and the Japanese driver seemed wary of the safety of his
car at the last race in Russia.
Staff at Leafield have also seen equipment – including a test car – seized by
bailiffs representing creditors. This week Caterham Sports Limited, builder
of cars for the F1 team, which bizarrely operates under a different licence,
went into administration. It leaves the jobs of around 200 embattled and
beleaguered staff hanging by a thread.
Bernie Ecclestone, the sport’s supremo, said this week that it would be
“better” if Caterham collapse.
“I don’t want people going around with begging bowls,” he said. But pressure
will inevitably fall on F1’s authorities to step in and help solve the mess
and bring it towards a conclusion.
Fernandes did not immediately comment on the situation on Wednesday night.