Anyone any ideas if Marussia don't make it to Abu Dhabi are they no longer eligible to their 10th place prize money? Wouldn't if have been worth Marussia's administrators gambling the £2.5 million that Caterham say it costs to do the last race just for the prize money? I hope that Marussia do some how make it to the last race just so Bernie has to pay out on 10th place. Plus for some reason I like Marussia more than Caterham but that is probably more to do with their boss as both teams had/have great staff. It will be sad to see them go.
I might be wrong on this, but if Marussia don't make Abu Dhabi, I believe that Caterham take 10th by default if they make the race. (Assuming Bernie doesn't screw them over.) I too would prefer that Marussia take their rightful place, but if Caterham turn up and take it in Marussia's absence, I'll be happy to have played a part in taking that prize money away from Bernie, CVC and the rich teams pockets.
Not seen this reported elsewhere, but Caterham are in talks with a potential investor. Apparently the investor is looking to take over the team within a month, and keep the current staff and infrastructure - not just using it as a quick way onto the F1 grid. Interestingly, the investor apparently is someone "linked to F1", who has credible backers. What do we reckon then? Alonso's decided it's easier to run an F1 team than a cycling team? Ross Brawn fancies a crack at the back of the grid (VW/Audi backing?), Dave Richards finally having another crack?
Zsolt Baumgartner? Brahman would be nice... Or the Tyrell family. I'd be thrilled at either of those.
Eddie Jordan? Christian Horner? where he too walks away from Red Bull and decides to design his own car... and engine, because he can, he's Christian Horner (In his head, gods gift to the universe), in fact he'll drive it too with Geri Halliwell in the second car, it'll be called "Horny F1". Or Maybe Ross Brawn fanices a team less hectic than Ferrari to return to F1 with? Actually, how about this for an off the wall suggestion?.... Ron Dennis. (Or Martin Whitmarsh?) McLaren to start up a feeder team like Red Bull, give the drives in that team to Magnussen and Vandoorne, with Button and Alonso in the senior team? Would certainly solve McLarens problem of having all these drivers and nowhere to put them in F1.....
Oh look, Bernie lied about the "we've chartered a plane for them" story, what a surprise http://www.crash.net/f1/feature/212352/1/kate-walker-dog-eat-dog-eat-f1.html
I have an idea but I'm keeping quiet. All I want to add is that I totally and utterly agree with Bhaji's comment here. I think he is worse in 'real-life' than the negative image portrayed through the media. Not a nice guy in my opinion (in case my dislike isn't clear enough!). The bad news is that despite his lifetime banishment from F1 of a few years ago, he's been sniffing around for a long time and is still matey with Ecclestone at every opportunity… I believe what he really wants is the *Ferrari job, but rats will find any way in that they can, and eat up or pollute everything they find. Is *Jean Todt strong enough to resist vermin? Who knows? What seems clear is that so far we've seen little evidence to support a 'yes' vote. I'll add that in my mind, Ari Vatanen would have been a safer bet to protect what little remains of F1's integrity… *= All of this is opinion.
Urgh... Cosi, you're making me think it IS Flav looking to buy Caterham. Please don't be so. I hoped we'd seen the back of him on the pit wall.
Caterham are allowed to run this years car next year (I couldnt see why not) http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/formula1/30272621 I wonder if the front nose rules will still need to be considered?
