Caterham could run old cars in 2015

Caterham F1’s administrators are pleased with the news that any potential new owner of the team could run an old car in 2015.

Administrator Finbarr O’Connell hopes that a deal to save the team can be completed over the coming weeks and the news that Caterham look set to be given dispensation by the F1 Commission to use 2014 cars next season can only aid that cause.

After missing both the United States and Brazilian Grand Prix, Caterham returned to the paddock in Abu Dhabi.

A controversial crowd-funding project which was launched at the Brazilian Grand Prix raised £1.9million and provided the springboard to get them into the F1 paddock.

The figure was still a short of the previously announced target of £2.35million which was set to get Caterham back on the grid in Abu Dhabi, however administrator Finbarr O’Connell was confident that it would be enough that he took Caterham out to Abu Dhabi.

They did however receive an unexpected added help as Formula boss Bernie Ecclestone waived the freight costs and chartered a plane for staff attending the season-ending race.

With Marcus Ericsson severing his ties with the team ahead of his move to Sauber for 2015.

Caterham auctioned off the seat to Will Stevens who had previously worked with the team.

Administrator Finbarr O’Connell was desperate to get the team out to Abu Dhabi for the final race of the season and he made his rather awkward step into the media spotlight over that weekend.

The idea behind making the race was so to demonstrate the level of the team and he believes talks are going well and a deal could be wrapped up within weeks.

The decision regarding old specification cars, is still to be ratified at this week’s meeting of the World Motor Sport Council in Qatar, but that is likely to be a formality.

‘The F1 Commission and FIA agreed if it would assist the weaker teams they can use the 2014 car next year, so giving them more time and options.

‘It’s a very difficult purchase decision for any party because of the huge costs involved in running an F1 team.’ O’Connell told the BBC.

Speaking to Sky Sports he added: ‘It’s a very difficult purchase decision for any party because of the huge costs involved in running a F1 team. I’m still talking to a few interested parties, and I’m hoping one of them can do the deal.

‘The number of people I’m talking to has increased, with two very strong candidates, and a third less strong. All I can do is show what I have, show the team, the assets and the facilities, and facilitate in any way I can with them making a decision.

Meanwhile the administrators at Marussia have set the dates of the December 16th and 17th to auction off the demised teams assets.

The Marussia F1 Auction website auction list includes:

Marussia Formula 1 Race Cars (No Engines), Complete Test Lab, Race Day Trailer Fleet, Complete Machine Shop, Corporate Offices, Large Quantity of Spare Parts, Including Race Day Replacement Parts & Tools and High Tech Server Equipment.