Kobayashi retains seat for Abu Dhabi

Kamui Kobayashi has retained his seat for Caterham for this weekends Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Caterham fell into administration last month and missed both the United States and Brazilian Grand Prix.

But unlike Marussia, who had their doors closed as the company ceased to exist due to their financial problems. Caterham launched a controversial crowd-funding project which aimed to raise £2.35million to get Caterham back on the grid in Abu Dhabi to showcase the team to potential investors.

The crowd-funding project didn’t quite reach it’s target, but came close enough for Caterham to push ahead anyway with a pay-driver likely to plug the gap required in funds.

With Marcus Ericsson leaving the team ahead of joining Sauber for next season there is at least one seat available for auction by the team.

It wasn’t clear if Kamui Kobayashi would remain with the team, but whilst the team were announcing 230 staff redundancies, Kamui Kobayashi confirmed he would be racing in the final race of the 2014 Formula One World Championship season.

‘I am happy to be racing with the team in Abu Dhabi. It hasn’t been an easy last few weeks, so it will be nice to be back to in the car and work together with the Caterham F1 team members, I would like to thank the fans for supporting the team like they have. This team is working hard and never gives up,’ Kamui told Sky Sports.

On the 230 staff redundancies Administrator Finbarr O’Connell added: ‘We are going to Abu Dhabi, racing and talking to potential buyers with meetings already arranged out there, The second track is that at the same time the claims forms will be up and running.

‘A best outcome could be for staff to get redundancy, arrears of pay and then if someone comes along (and buys the team) they would get paid again.’

Caterham will take 40 people to the Yas Marina circuit.