Skip to main content

All assets for Caterham F1 to be liquidated at auction, signaling the end of the team

caterham f1 team assets go to auction marks end of the 15678500270 63c802669e b
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Beyond the on-track drama of cars battling for the win in Formula 1, there’s a perpetual soap opera taking place behind the scenes. As with everything, the problem often comes down to money, specifically not enough. Things looked bleak for two teams, Marussia F1 and Caterham, and while the former might have been given a temporary reprieve, it doesn’t look like Caterham will have the same fortune as all of the team’s assets have been put up for auction.

The writing on the wall spelled out doom for Caterham for some time, when the teams founder sold the F1 team to a group of investors, after which saw the teams management change more than a few times and the bankruptcy of the factory that built its race cars. There was even a crowdfunding campaign raised in an attempt to keep things afloat until the closeout of last season.

15678293188_59ce7859ee_b
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The team even got as far as receiving special dispensation to use the 2014 cars in the new season, saving them from the costly design and build of a new vehicle, as well as helping the administrators in charge of the bankruptcy in finding a buyer for the team. With everything going to auction, however, it doesn’t look like that buyer is coming.

Looking at the list of items going to the block is eerily depressing. Yes, whole cars and pit equipment are going up for sale, but there’s entire sections for office and gym equipment, hospitality, catering, factory tools and engineering machinery. We tend to focus on the driver and the racing team, but there’s a huge number of folks working behind the scenes to make all of that happen. Sadly, these people are most likely looking for new jobs as all the rest gets liquidated.

Editors' Recommendations

Alexander Kalogianni
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Alex K is an automotive writer based in New York. When not at his keyboard or behind the wheel of a car, Alex spends a lot of…
Rivian R2 vs R1S: How will Rivian’s cheaper SUV compare?
The front three-quarter view of a 2022 Rivian against a rocky backdrop.

Rivian has finally unveiled the R2, its long-awaited attempt at a more affordable electric SUV. The new vehicle may not be available just yet, but fans of Rivian's design aesthetics and feature set are already looking forward to being able to order the new car. The R2 is targeted at being a more affordable take on the electric SUV and will sit alongside the flagship-tier R1S.

Let's get this out of the way right now: The R1S is most likely going to be a better vehicle than the R2. Rivian isn't replacing the R1S with the R2 — it's releasing the R2 as a more affordable alternative, and there will be some compromises when buying the R2 over the R1S.

Read more
Cybertruck production reportedly halted over pedal issue
Tesla CEO Elon Musk behind the wheel of a Cybertruck.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk behind the wheel of a Cybertruck. Tesla

Tesla’s Cybertruck has been hit by a production delay caused by an issue with a part of the vehicle, a number of media reports have claimed.

Read more
Don’t let the gimmicks fool you. The Ioniq 5 N is a serious track car
2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N drifting.

We’re finally getting to the fun part of automakers’ methodical quest to replicate their lineups with electric cars.

Performance versions of ordinary cars have been a staple of the auto industry for decades. But while we’ve already seen some variants of EVs boasting more power and more impressive stats — think Tesla Model S Plaid or Lucid Air Sapphire — the 2025 Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is the first to truly apply that format to an EV.

Read more