Caterham given dispensation by F1 Commission to use 2014 car next season
Decision expected to be ratified by World Motorsport Council this week
By William Esler
Last Updated: 01/12/14 2:43pm
Caterham have been given dispensation by the F1 Commission to use their 2014 car next season should a buyer be found for the team.
The Leafield-based team are currently in administration and missed the United States and Brazilian GPs, only returning to the grid in Abu Dhabi thanks to crowdfunding.
The decision to allow Caterham to continue in 2015 with this year’s car means any potential buyer would not have to worry about paying to build and develop a new car, particularly with pre-season testing just two months away.
With the decision to be ratified by this week's meeting of the World Motorsport Council in Doha, it would allow a new owner to at least be in F1 with a base on which to build for 2016.
"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,” administrator Finbarr O'Connell said.
"That is of interest to all the parties I'm talking to because it gives them a choice, an easier start to get into F1 if they chose that route. It helps."
The news gives O’Connell more time to sell the team having previously stated a deal before Christmas was crucial.
“Before Christmas would still be ideal," added O'Connell.
"It now doesn't have to happen by then, but the earlier the better from my point of view, and I'm encouraging people as much as I can.
"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.
"I remain confident something will be done."
