Caterham F1 staff locked out of Oxfordshire site

**Mark** · 23rd October 2014, 13:08

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...shire-29738116

Staff working at the Caterham F1 team site in Oxfordshire have been locked out of the firm's premises, the administrator has told the BBC.

Finbarr O'Connell, from Smith & Williamson, said Caterham F1 operator 1MRT had made an "inadequate" offer to continue using the Leafield site.

Smith & Williamson owns the building, where the F1 cars were made.

Mr O'Connell said he was trying to resolve the situation with 1MRT but until then had locked staff out.

Employees from Caterham Sports Limited - which manufactures cars for the F1 team and is run as a separate company - were transferred to 1MRT when the company was placed into administration on Monday.

**Doc Austin** · 23rd October 2014, 17:44

Looks like Fernandez got out just in time.

Maybe we will see some of the big teams run three cars next year after all.

**driveace** · 23rd October 2014, 21:17

And Caterham may not run in Austin

**anfield5** · 24th October 2014, 01:16

I feel sorry for the workers - all of them including team management and drivers. Sure Caterham are one of the wortst performed teams in F1 history, but everyone working for them is extremely dedicated and hard working and have put in an effort every bit as big (if nor bigger) that the workers at teams like Red Bull and Mercedes.

**driveace** · 24th October 2014, 10:33

If only Bernie gave them a pocket full of change ,or a helping hand !

**AndyL** · 24th October 2014, 11:22

The story just gets more bizarre.
http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2014/1...-in-crossfire/
Supposedly Fernandes still technically owns the team, he never transferred the shares because he says he hasn't been paid for them yet.

**Hawkmoon** · 24th October 2014, 15:50

If memory serves we were supposed to get 4 new teams a few years ago. USF1 never made the grid. HRT disappeared after a few fruitless seasons and now Caterham are essentially a dead team walking (rolling?). Only Marussia remain and they've had a couple of ownership changes along the way. I wouldn't like to bet on their continued survival either.