Caterham preparing to race in Japan

Late yesterday evening, the Caterham F1 Team announced that they will be racing in Japan this weekend despite rumours of bailiffs seizing goods from their Leafield base.

Although earlier this season former Caterham owner Tony Fernandes sold the team to a consortium of Swiss and Dubai investors that did little to quash rumours about the team’s future.

There have been rumours that have gained momentum earlier this week when bailiffs seized goods from Caterham’s factory. High Court enforcement officers The Sheriff’s Office have published a list of the goods which included a 2013 test car, car parts designated for this weekend’s Japanese GP and steering wheels which Caterham have stated they intend to regain back as quickly as possible before they are sold through public action in mid-October by the bailiff company.

Late yesterday evening, Caterham publically insisted these rumours are “unfounded and unsubstantiated” and will race in Japan as scheduled. The team said the following in a statement to the media:-

'There have been unfounded and unsubstantiated rumours concerning actions against 1MRT, the entrant and owner of CaterhamF1.

'An action was threatened yesterday 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.

'Also contrary to uncontrolled rumours, all operations are currently in place at Leafield and the race team is doing its preparation in Japan.'

As the official statement from Caterham states, it is clear that the issues that are surrounding the team do not affect the team running in Japan this weekend and it is really nice to see that Caterham will be running in Japan this weekend. But the speculation surrounding the Caterham on social media for me has been unnecessary, unpleasant and is really has been uncalled for.

The speculation surrounding Caterham on Twitter for example has seen a few pundits and even fans laughing at the supposed 'demise' of the Caterham team and suggestions that staff were asked to leave the premises and the police being called alongside other ridiculous suggestions that surfaced yesterday evening. These suggestions and speculation from social media have led to Caterham making a public statement to the media declaring their position and that is the end of the matter as far as I am concerned.

In my opinion, the current situation at Caterham is not a pleasant one for the team, people who work in the team, their suppliers and partners and their new owners, it is clear that there are issues that need to be resolved and these issues need to be resolved without the public scruinity of the media and resolved in the correct manner legally.

It has been reported by Sky Sports F1 this morning that Caterham's Team Principal Manfredi Ravetto will be expected to give the team's version of events that have happened this week when he arrives in Japan on Friday and all we can do is wait for that announcement and further clarification on the matter at hand. But I am sure I speak for the majority of Formula One fans who are happy to see that Caterham will be racing at Japan this weekend despite everything they have encountered over the past few months and will be doing everything they can to resolve the situation where it matters, behind closed doors.