Diciamocelo pure: dei veri businessmen o, meglio, dei bei volponi. Con la storia della crisi e della raccolta fondi e poi della scelta dei piloti, la Caterham è riuscita a far parlare di sé più di quanto non abbia mai fatto in tutta la sua storia in F1. Dopo aver raggiunto l’obiettivo ed essere riuscito a scendere in pista ad Abu Dhabi, il team ha fatto guidare Kobayashi e il debuttante (che ha avuto la superlicenza al volo proprio per l’occasione) Will Stevens. Inevitabile che qualcuno abbia rimarcato la cosa, puntando il dito proprio sulla scelta dei piloti, da qui il comunicato ufficiale di questa mattina.
Gli affari sono affari, certo, ma stride il fatto che la Caterham ci sia e la Marussia (già così colpita per l’incidente di Jules in Giappone) abbia portato macchine e uomini per poi non poter correre e quindi tornare a casa. Quelle due macchine assenti fanno male, perché segno che qualcosa non va. Marussia e Caterham hanno fatto scelte diverse. La prima avrebbe potuto osare di più, lanciarsi in una raccolta fondi come la Caterham? Forse. E sarebbe stata in pista oggi ad Abu Dhabi. Ma gli stipendi dei dipendenti, i debiti, sarebbero comunque tutti lì, non pagati… La differenza tra apparenza e sostanza, far numero ed esserci. Spente le luci dello Yas Marina resterà ben poco, purtroppo.
Barbara Premoli
Finbarr O’Connell, CaterhamF1 Team’s Team Principle, has sought to clarify the many claims by drivers stating to have been “offered” the CaterhamF1 Team drives this weekend in Abu Dhabi.
Finbarr O’Connell: “The reality is that we were approached by several drivers and their representatives regarding the availability of the seats for this weekend. The level of interest was really very high. But, ideally, we wanted drivers who had experience of the car and working with the team.
“We spoke to both of the drivers who are racing for us very early on in our plans for this weekend. Having already used three of the maximum four race drivers in the season, Will Stevens was offered the remaining seat first due to his experience gained in the tests he had done for the Team and his time working with the engineers in the simulator at Leafield. Clearly, Will had to consider how he wished to be linked to the Team and we are delighted with his belief in and support for it. The British public now have another British flag on the pit wall and another British driver to support. We signed a contract with Will well before this weekend’s race and only had to wait for FIA approval for his Super License to announce him.
“We spoke to Kamui, as he was one of the Team’s existing drivers, and as soon as it was clear he was available we signed him too as we were keen to capitalise on his experience.
“We are delighted with the performances of our drivers over the weekend so far and that of the Team members, our Human Engine, all of whom have rallied to the Team’s cause and demonstrated the Team’s fighting spirit and tenacity to continue. Considering where we were a short time ago, it is gratifying to know there was so much interest as regards a seat in a CaterhamF1 car!”
