F1: Fernandes Bullish After Launch Of New Caterham

Formula 1

F1: Fernandes Bullish After Launch Of New Caterham

Caterham team boss Tony Fernandes says how the CT01 runs will be more important than how it looks...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted January 26, 2012 Balen (BEL)

Caterham boss Tony Fernandes says the team's primary aim is to score points this season. (Photo: AFP/Getty Images)

Caterham boss Tony Fernandes expects his rebranded team to make good progress this year, after going through two years of learning.

The team’s new CT01 has emerged on the web over the past two days, prior to its first test in Jerez on Feb. 7.

“This car represents another step forward for us,” said Fernandes. "The detail right across the whole package is light years ahead of where we were when we first started out, and we are all excited about seeing what it can do when we get on track. I’m also very pleased that we were able to show our fans the car so soon.”

Fernandes said he was pleased that the unusual nose has attracted attention: "Personally I love this car, and it’s very flattering that people want to talk about our car and our team, but the main consideration is that it is quick. As long as it is quicker than last year’s car, I don’t think the looks matter, and I am sure that when all the other cars are unveiled, we will see a pretty common thread running through all of them. I actually think it’s beautiful. It’s different, and different does not equal ugly – in fact I think its difference is what makes it beautiful, but then I am probably a bit biased.

“However, it is important to remember that how the car looks and behaves is one part, admittedly a major part, but just one part of what makes this team who we are. Caterham is the name we will race under for many years to come, but we still have the same DNA we have had since day one, back in 2009.

“We are the same team but every day we are growing stronger, and what underpins that growth is the people in our team who have been with us since the early days, and the people who have come on board and share our vision. We are still very proudly green and yellow, and I think that says rather a lot about who we are.

“For me this is a new year, a new start as Caterham, and the next chapter in our story. This is the first time our whole design team has really been able to get its teeth into creating our own product, and I know it will be a progression from the T128, technically and in terms of its performance.”

Fernandes said that the clear aim this year was to score points.

“Target-wise, I have been quoted as saying I want us to score a point this year and that really has to be the aim. It has to be," he said. "Towards the end of last year we were so close to the midfield cars, but our lack of KERS limited our capabilities.

“This year, however, with the people and facilities we have in the factory and the wind tunnel, and with KERS, I am confident that we will become a danger to many of the midfield teams, and yes, I want us to achieve a point somewhere in 2012 – maybe two if we are very lucky!”

Adam Cooper notched up his 27th season as a racing journalist in 2011. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.