QPR owner Tony Fernandes set to bail out of owning Caterham Formula One team 10:29 28 June 2014 Tony Fernandes. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) Tony Fernandes. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) Tony Fernandes has dropped a broad hint he is prepared to bail out of Formula One team Caterham. It is understood that Fernandes has already sold the F1 arm of his operation, ending a difficult four-and-half-year journey. Although no details have officially been announced, in finally opting to close his account on Twitter on Friday, Fernandes said: âF1 hasnât worked. Love Caterham cars.â Fernandes made clear at the start of the season, at the announcement of his driver line-up car for this year in January at Caterhamâs Leafield base, he was threatening to pull the plug. Via a demoralising outburst, Fernandes said: âMy message to the 250 people here (at the factory) is we have to go for it this year. This is it - the final chance. âWeâve given you the best infrastructure, the best potential drivers, but it is now down to all of you to go and do it. âIf weâre at the back I donât think Iâm going to carry on. âNothing is set in stone, but after five years with no points there is a limit to oneâs patience, money, motivation, etcetera, so itâs an important year.â Fernandesâ hopes have hit the buffers, however, with Caterham falling further behind back-of-the-grid rival Marussia, who ended their points drought in Monaco this year. Caterham, meanwhile, have gone 85 races since their arrival in F1 in 2010 without collecting a single point, and now Fernandes has had enough. The Malaysian entrepreneur, owner of Premier League side QPR and budget airline AirAsia, has not uttered a single word on Caterham this season since his day at the factory, nor has he attended a race. Rumours have been rife about Caterhamâs future for months, notably after Fernandes issued a statement at the end of May insisting Caterham Group was not for sale. That did not preclude an independent sale of the F1 team, with a deal now believed to have been concluded with an unnamed party. An announcement is likely in the coming days.
If this reads across that means that QPR have 2 years left to cut the mustard. I wonder what the goal for us is that represents success in Tony's vision. Top half finish? Profitable season?
OR.... this means he would like to concentrate more on QPR..... I saw an interview with him where he talked about the differences between a F1 team and a foolball team, and his conclusions were that if you are towards the bottom of the pile with your F1 team, the chances are that is where you will stay most seasons. Whereas with a football club, there is more of a chance that the underdogs can beat the ferarris or williams of the football league. (from what i gathered, he felt F1 is more unfair that footy) I personally think he likes football more than F1. Thoughts?
Tony should have brought this guy down to the factory, or the pub? please log in to view this image please log in to view this image
F1 is impossible for TF. Ferrari would get more money for finishing last than caterham would for getting a 1-2 in every race and a double championship victory. At least football rewards clubs more fairly.
