Why is Caterham bothering with F1?
Discussion
Having watched the Malaysian GP yesterday I am still wondering why a grassroots motorsport manefacturer is bothering to spend money on an uncompetive team in F1.
Caterham is most famous for great trackday and weekend warrior cars like the Seven and all it's various versions. So it has a great reputation for motorsport at the other end of the spectum to F1. I don't see how having a formula 1 team gains them the exposure they need to increase sales of the seven.
I think Lotus and Caterham are now owned by the same business Proton, but at least Lotus has a race winning car thanks to Renault.
Lotus have a history in formula 1 of winning races so it may work for the brand but surly caterham having an uncompetive team does more harm than good?
Caterham is most famous for great trackday and weekend warrior cars like the Seven and all it's various versions. So it has a great reputation for motorsport at the other end of the spectum to F1. I don't see how having a formula 1 team gains them the exposure they need to increase sales of the seven.
I think Lotus and Caterham are now owned by the same business Proton, but at least Lotus has a race winning car thanks to Renault.
Lotus have a history in formula 1 of winning races so it may work for the brand but surly caterham having an uncompetive team does more harm than good?
I should add, I wouldn't be surprised if Bernie Ecclestone is effectively paying Caterham to fill out the grid. The back of the F1 field is a complete waste of time. Richard Branson soon got out with his Virgin money.
Any arrangements may date from Bernie's sale of QPR football club to Fernandes back in 2011.
Any arrangements may date from Bernie's sale of QPR football club to Fernandes back in 2011.
They finished ahead of both of the Marussias at Sepang, which represents progress compared to Albert Park. To have ran at the back for three seasons, you'd hope that the Caterham team is not a fleeting interest but a team which will start to pick up championship points and snowball into something bigger.
ETA: that sounded altogether too optimistic. I should temper it by adding that the progress they have made isn't as significant as it should've been and now they don't even have HRTs to show up.
ETA: that sounded altogether too optimistic. I should temper it by adding that the progress they have made isn't as significant as it should've been and now they don't even have HRTs to show up.
Edited by HustleRussell on Monday 25th March 16:03
Ozzie Osmond said:
Tony Fernandes ego. Nothing else.
I imagine the Caterham car company is as doomed as Caterham F1.
Tony is a loose gun at the best of times. I imagine the Caterham car company is as doomed as Caterham F1.
He's totally fallen out of love with F1 and spends most of his time at QPR or with his airlines.
It's just a matter of time before CaterhamF1 is sold and probably the car company.
FYI - CaterhamF1 doesn't have a penny to it's name.
woof said:
Tony is a loose gun at the best of times.
He's totally fallen out of love with F1 and spends most of his time at QPR or with his airlines.
It's just a matter of time before CaterhamF1 is sold and probably the car company.
FYI - CaterhamF1 doesn't have a penny to it's name.
Really? He was pretty much in evidence over the weekend.He's totally fallen out of love with F1 and spends most of his time at QPR or with his airlines.
It's just a matter of time before CaterhamF1 is sold and probably the car company.
FYI - CaterhamF1 doesn't have a penny to it's name.
No one has mentioned the deal with Renault Alpine and there is even talk of Marussia joining selling their joint venture cars in Russia.
I think Tony Fernandes knows how to make money. Kudos is another good reason to have a selection of playthings. Nobody felt the same about Minardi bouncing along the bottom for years on end.
I think Tony Fernandes knows how to make money. Kudos is another good reason to have a selection of playthings. Nobody felt the same about Minardi bouncing along the bottom for years on end.
Unreal1066 said:
I think Lotus and Caterham are now owned by the same business Proton, but at least Lotus has a race winning car thanks to Renault.
Lotus have a history in formula 1 of winning races so it may work for the brand but surly caterham having an uncompetive team does more harm than good?
Caterham is owned by Tony Fernandes whilst Lotus Cars is owned by DRB Hicom/ Proton. The Lotus F1 team is owned by Genii Capital.Lotus have a history in formula 1 of winning races so it may work for the brand but surly caterham having an uncompetive team does more harm than good?
I can actually see there being a more viable business model being a "just good enough" back of the grid team than a midfielder like Sauber or Force India to be honest. Someone has to be at the back of the grid, and as long as you're not doing a Forti or Mastercard Lola job of it, I can well see how pay drivers could be a viable revenue stream. If the extra expense of moving the team toward the midfield is never going to be recouped in earnings, why not sit at the back cashing cheques? If you manage to unearth a star at some stage, I'm sure there are loan deals and management fees that can pay well. Let's not forget where Alonso made his debut.
The publicity for what is a tiny car making company is immense, whether they actually harness that into expanding their range and market globally is a moot point though, I would imagine any potential buyers would be a hard pressed to see the connection between a posh kit car and the high tech world of F1.
rallycross said:
How much money did they get for coming 10th last year?
How much money will they spend this year to compete and finish 10th again?
How much additional business will Tony F generate through running an F1 team?
then ask if its worth it or not. F1 is a business.
My bet is he's only got "Airbus" written on the rear wing as a result of some side negotiation related to buying aircraft for his airline. "GE" will be on there a spin-off from aircraft engine purchases. I'm willing to bet there's some kind of angle for CNN as well.How much money will they spend this year to compete and finish 10th again?
How much additional business will Tony F generate through running an F1 team?
then ask if its worth it or not. F1 is a business.
I think having a car that fails to finish races damages the brand.
This can be either because of retirement or crashes, or most importantly engine failure damages reputations.
When Honda had the F1 team in the years before Ross Braun took over and Jenson Button was driving the cars were unreliable. The cars always seemed to break down. I think this carries over to the car manufacturer. I thought everyday Honda cars to be unreliable because I was watching a car covered in Honda sponsorship break down.
The global branding F1 promotes can also work the other way when the team fails in the championship.
Caterham to me, always represents grassroots racing not the unachievable that F1 is now.
This can be either because of retirement or crashes, or most importantly engine failure damages reputations.
When Honda had the F1 team in the years before Ross Braun took over and Jenson Button was driving the cars were unreliable. The cars always seemed to break down. I think this carries over to the car manufacturer. I thought everyday Honda cars to be unreliable because I was watching a car covered in Honda sponsorship break down.
The global branding F1 promotes can also work the other way when the team fails in the championship.
Caterham to me, always represents grassroots racing not the unachievable that F1 is now.
HustleRussell said:
They finished ahead of both of the Marussias at Sepang, which represents progress compared to Albert Park. To have ran at the back for three seasons, you'd hope that the Caterham team is not a fleeting interest but a team which will start to pick up championship points and snowball into something bigger.
ETA: that sounded altogether too optimistic. I should temper it by adding that the progress they have made isn't as significant as it should've been and now they don't even have HRTs to show up.
Erm no they didn't. Bianci beat both Caterhams.ETA: that sounded altogether too optimistic. I should temper it by adding that the progress they have made isn't as significant as it should've been and now they don't even have HRTs to show up.
Edited by anonymous-user on Monday 25th March 16:03
Apparently Caterham are playing the long end game of focusing on next year's car.
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