(Francois Flamand DPPI for Renault Sport F1)
Will Stevens completed his first ever Formula One Grand Prix race distance at today's season finale Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at the Yas Marina circuit as the Caterham F1 Team returned to the grid after missing the United States and Brazilian Grand Prix.
The Leafield based outfit and the Marussia F1 Team went into administration last month and while Caterham managed to make to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix the Marussia F1 Team who ceased trading on the 7th November missed out on travelling to the race by the skin of their teeth as a last minute deal to rescue the team failed at the final moment just as the team's freight was being loaded to travel.
The Caterham F1 Team was handed over to administrators Smith and Williamson with Finbarr O'Connell put in charge of the outfit. The Irishman confirmed that the intention was to get the team out to Abu Dhabi and for them to race in the season finale.
Two weeks ago a crowd funding project was launched to raise the £2.35 million needed to enable the team to go racing at the Yas Marina Circuit. The cars along with forty team members arrived at the circuit earlier in the week with 82% of the funding needed to participate in the race and with eleven hours to go until their extended deadline expired 100% of the £2.35 million needed to run the team in Abu Dhabi was raised.
Mr O'Connell confirmed at Friday's team principal's press conference that contrary to reports they had received fantastic support from up and down the pit-lane.
While Will Stevens completed the race distance, Kamui Kobayshi was forced to retire from the race. Acting team principal Finbarr O'Connell has confirmed that he is in serious talks with a number of serious potential buyers and he will attend a meeting with all of the Formula One team principal's in Abu Dhabi next week and he is hopeful that a new buyer will be found and that the team WILL be on the grid next season albeit under a new name.
© Ben Johnston 2014
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