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Formula 1
F1: Fernandes Bullish As Caterham Settles In New Base
Caterham F1 boss Tony Fernandes is excited about the latest changes for the team...
Caterham team boss Tony Fernandes believes the team's move will be beneficial. (Photo: LAT Photographic)
Caterham F1 boss Tony Fernandes says that the team’s recent move from remote Norfolk to the more central Oxfordshire will be the springboard to greater success.
The team used the August break to complete the move to the former Arrows and Super Aguri factory at Leafield.
It puts the team in the same general area as Red Bull, Lotus, Force India, Mercedes, Williams and Marussia, with much better access to staff.
“I cannot stress highly enough how important the move to the new factory has been,” said Fernandes. “On one level it is fantastic to see just how motivated everybody in the team is to be starting work in our new home, and on another level Leafield sends out the clearest possible message about our long-term aspirations.
“We have invested a considerable sum in purchasing the site and refurbishing it to bring it up to the standards needed to compete for honors in F1, GP2 and all the motorsport categories we take part in now and in the future. That investment puts in place the final piece of the jigsaw needed to take the next step and join the midfield – now we have no excuses.”
Technical director Mark Smith added: “The move to Leafield puts us firmly in the middle of the UK’s motorsport valley and gives us a site we can expand into for many years to come, giving us the platform we need to grow into an operation that can challenge for long-term honors.”
Meanwhile, Fernandes admitted that he’s disappointed with the team’s form relative to those ahead, even though Caterham has pulled well clear of Marussia and HRT.
“We have not scored our first point yet, and we have much more work to do to chip away at that gap to the pack ahead, which is now less than one second, but it is fair to say we are disappointed with where we are, as I am sure many people who follow us are,” Fernandes said. “However, the belief that we can achieve what we have set out to is what drives us on, and we have to remember that just 35 months ago, we did not even exist.
“Since the first day of this team we have had to fight extremely hard and, off track, we have had to deal with two major court cases. Both cases we have had to face, with Group Lotus and Force India, have been painful processes, for the team and personally for everybody involved, but we have not let them distract us.
“While those fights were being won in court, we have continued to make significant progress on track, particularly compared to the other two teams who joined the sport at the same time as us. We are absolutely determined to keep building on that progress and use the passion we have to join the midfield to keep pushing us forwards, and we will get there.
“We have everything in place to accomplish our goals, and with the fierce determination we have to succeed, we can kick on from there and keep climbing up the grid.”
Fernandes added that the team will be unveiling a “major” new sponsor at Spa.
The team used the August break to complete the move to the former Arrows and Super Aguri factory at Leafield.
It puts the team in the same general area as Red Bull, Lotus, Force India, Mercedes, Williams and Marussia, with much better access to staff.
“I cannot stress highly enough how important the move to the new factory has been,” said Fernandes. “On one level it is fantastic to see just how motivated everybody in the team is to be starting work in our new home, and on another level Leafield sends out the clearest possible message about our long-term aspirations.
“We have invested a considerable sum in purchasing the site and refurbishing it to bring it up to the standards needed to compete for honors in F1, GP2 and all the motorsport categories we take part in now and in the future. That investment puts in place the final piece of the jigsaw needed to take the next step and join the midfield – now we have no excuses.”
Technical director Mark Smith added: “The move to Leafield puts us firmly in the middle of the UK’s motorsport valley and gives us a site we can expand into for many years to come, giving us the platform we need to grow into an operation that can challenge for long-term honors.”
Meanwhile, Fernandes admitted that he’s disappointed with the team’s form relative to those ahead, even though Caterham has pulled well clear of Marussia and HRT.
“We have not scored our first point yet, and we have much more work to do to chip away at that gap to the pack ahead, which is now less than one second, but it is fair to say we are disappointed with where we are, as I am sure many people who follow us are,” Fernandes said. “However, the belief that we can achieve what we have set out to is what drives us on, and we have to remember that just 35 months ago, we did not even exist.
“Since the first day of this team we have had to fight extremely hard and, off track, we have had to deal with two major court cases. Both cases we have had to face, with Group Lotus and Force India, have been painful processes, for the team and personally for everybody involved, but we have not let them distract us.
“While those fights were being won in court, we have continued to make significant progress on track, particularly compared to the other two teams who joined the sport at the same time as us. We are absolutely determined to keep building on that progress and use the passion we have to join the midfield to keep pushing us forwards, and we will get there.
“We have everything in place to accomplish our goals, and with the fierce determination we have to succeed, we can kick on from there and keep climbing up the grid.”
Fernandes added that the team will be unveiling a “major” new sponsor at Spa.
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