Ericsson terminates Caterham deal

Marcus Ericsson has terminated his contract with Caterham with immediate effect.

The Caterham Formula One team missed both the United States and Brazilian Grand Prix after being placed into administration following months of financial turmoil.

A controversial crowd-funding project could mean that Caterham could return to the grid in Abu Dhabi, but if they do Ericsson will not be driving the team.

Whilst Caterham were absent in Austin, Texas, Ericsson announced his move to Sauber for 2015.

Then in Brazil Caterham launched a crowd-funding project in a bid to get them on the grid for the 2014 season finale.

Caterham require £2.35million by the end of this week to make up the numbers and Caterham are already half way to their target after receiving over a million pounds within days of launching the project.

But even if Caterham can be saved in the short-term 24-year-old Swedish driver Marcus Ericsson is moving on with his career.

‘This is a sad day as we have greatly enjoyed working with the team through a difficult and tough season, I have decided to terminate, with immediate effect, all agreements connecting me to the Caterham F1 team. Ericsson told the BBC.

‘I wish to thank the Caterham F1 team for your trust and confidence in me, and for making my first Formula 1 season an educational and unforgettable experience.

‘In addition, I thank my good friend and team-mate Kamui Kobayashi for being an inspiring benchmark throughout the year, and hope to see him back on the track soon.’

If Caterham do make it to the paddock in Abu Dhabi, they are unlikely to be short of potential drivers and most notably drivers willing to pay for their drive.

One potential racer is 21-year-old British driver Alice Powell.

The former GP3 driver has been backed by her grandfather who is willing to stump up £35,000 to get her a seat for Free Practice One.

However Powell also has the backing of various other sponsors which could see her become the first female driver since Lella Lombardi in 1976 to take part in a Formula One Grand Prix.

?My grandfather, who has helped me throughout my racing career, has decided he is going to help put some money towards Caterham if they allow me to test in Practice One. she said to Sky Sports.

?As long as I get to test in Practice One I have some other investors who are willing to invest in the team and it would be a fantastic opportunity.?

?If the opportunity comes up to stay in the car and do qualifying and the race of course I?m not going to say no,?

One potential problem for Powell’s hopes of making the grid could be a lack of a Super Licence.

Without the opportunity to earn a licence through testing kilometres, Powell will have to hope that her experience in GP3 [18 races] and Formula Renault BARC [12 races] where she won the championship will be enough to see her awarded a licence.