Expected major restructurings at Caterham

The Caterham team changed hands just before the British Grand Prix held at Silverstone last weekend. A nebulous consortium from Switzerland and the Middle East has taken the reins of the team, placing the experienced Colin Kolles in charge. He quickly decided to appoint former Dutch driver Christijan Albers as sporting director.

Kolles, however, commented on the upcoming restructurings that will take place in the short term to try to revive Caterham as early as this year, with the stated goal of finishing the season in 10th place in the constructors’ standings: « I think we have made a lot of progress. There will be many changes and many things will be done. I prefer to have 200 secure jobs than 300 lost jobs. Sometimes, you have to make unpopular decisions, but believe me, I think some people know and understand that changes need to take place and that we cannot continue like this. It’s impossible. »

However, it seems that the team’s financial situation has stabilized with the arrival of these mysterious investors whose identities remain unknown, even to Bernie Ecclestone. “Many problems have been resolved in three days,” continues Kolles for the news agency Reuters. “We still have debts to pay, but these are normal debts. What we are trying to do is bring everything into calmer waters. The team might still be here for years. That’s our goal. It’s not a matter of surviving or not; I think the team will survive. The question is more about at what level? It’s not just about resolving the debts. At the same time, we need to have healthy finances, we need to completely restructure the company because there is panic… we have to develop the car and find the best compromise between the drivers and the car.”

The question of the drivers is clearly raised by Kolles, even if he does not venture to give names or mention possible short-term changes: In terms of performance, we have to look at that. And we are doing it. But I don’t want to comment on rumors, it’s of no interest. I have met the drivers and their management. I have always been transparent on this subject. The last driver I fired in Formula 1 was Christijan Albers, and he is now my team manager. That gives you an idea of how I negotiate with people.

From a more personal perspective, Colin Kolles, often controversial in the Formula 1 world during his various stints with Midland, Spyker, or HRT, says he hasn’t really changed much in recent years: “I am the same person I was ten years ago. I haven’t completely changed. There are certain things that remain the same, and others that have surely improved… or not, I don’t know,” he admits with a smile. “This mission will be a success. It will be tough, but it will be a success.”