THE Caterham Formula One team have insisted they plan to race at the Japanese Grand Prix this weekend despite questions over their future following a raid from bailiffs.
In a statement before Sunday’s race at Suzuka, the struggling team said: “There have been unfounded and unsubstantiated rumours concerning actions against 1MRT, the entrant and owner of CaterhamF1.
“An action was threatened yesterday (Wednesday) against a supplier company to 1MRT.
“This company is not owned by 1MRT and it has no influence over the entry of CaterhamF1 or the entrant.”
The team added that it was business as usual after a list of items taken from the factory in central England appeared on the bailiffs’ official website and included a test car, steering wheels and various pit-lane tools.
“Contrary to uncontrolled rumours, all operations are currently in place ... and the race team are doing their preparation in Japan.”
Speculation was also rife that staff had been ordered to leave the factory and the facilities shut down.
Tailenders Caterham are facing an uncertain future since being sold in July by the Malaysian aviation entrepreneur Tan Sri Tony Fernandes to a group of Swiss and Middle Eastern investors advised by former F1 team principal Colin Kolles.
But team principal Manfredi Ravetto has been quoted as saying that work on the 2015 car was progressing in the Toyota wind tunnel in Cologne.
Japan’s Kamui Kobayashi and Swede Marcus Ericsson are Caterham’s current drivers, with Spaniard Roberto Merhi scheduled to take part in today’s first practice at Suzuka.
Caterham are last in the championship standings and have never scored a point. AFP