Formula 1 Field Remains At Lucky 11 Despite Doubts Over 2 Teams

A round remains in the 2014 Formula One season but thoughts have already moved to next year’s competition. The same eleven teams which began this year’s championship remain on the FIA’s official entry list for 2015, despite one having gone into administration and one ceasing to exist. While Caterham are crying out for a buyer, administrators have confirmed Marussia has closed.

Marussia Missing

Marussia have been off the grid since Russia, with the team missing the American Grand Prix and last weekend’s race in Sao Paulo. Their absence in Brazil was followed by Administrators confirming Marussia has since ceased and around 200 employees are now without work.

“It goes without saying that it is deeply regrettable that a business with such a great following in British and world motorsport has had to cease trading and close its doors,” said FRP administrator Geoff Rowley.

The team submitted an entry for next year under its original name Manor F1, set up by current Marussia team Principal John Booth in 1990 with the term “subject to confirmation,” but as yet there is no indication they will be able to take advantage of it. 11 teams could fast become 10.

Crazy at Caterham

Caterham are hoping that number remains at double figures despite their turbulent times. Like Marussia they’ve also been absent from racing since the Russian Grand Prix. Caterham expect to know their fate for next year by the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix beginning on November 21. Administrators for Caterham recently launched an SOS for someone to buy the team. In fact they lodged their entry for the 2015 season to make their product more appealing to potential owners.

“With a team having an entry in the championship it makes them a far more viable proposition for us to do a deal. It’s absolutely essential,” Administrator Finbarr O’Connell told the Associated Press.

It’s a desperate bid to guarantee survival, but one that could possibly pay off, with a unnamed possibly emerging.

It’s hoped the Green Machine will be back on track literally, in Abu Dhabi, but for that to happen F1 fans will have to dip into their pockets. Caterham’s set up a unique crowd funding method to raise the $2.35 million dollars required to participate in the final race of the season. The team is selling badges and earplugs, as well as offering people the chance to enter a competition to have their name on a racing car at the event, assuming the team finds enough money to compete. The race against the clock is on though; while the Million dollar mark has already been surpassed the fundraising campaign closes on Friday.

Marussia’s 2014 Season

Marussia had mixed results in the first 5 races of 2014 with the team’s best finish a 13th by Max Chilton in Bahrain. However Round 6 in Monaco was one for the record books, as Jules Bianchi secured the team’s first points of their history after finishing the race in ninth spot.

Both drivers couldn’t break into the top 10 again before a sickening accident in Japan left Jules Bianchi fighting for his life. The Frenchman crashed into the back of a tractor during a rain affected race at Suzuka and he remains in a Japanese hospital in a critical but stable condition. Marussia have struggled to recover from the horrifying ordeal and only one car has been present in one race since.

Caterham’s Campaign in 2014

Caterham’s standout result also came at Monaco with both drivers recording their best finishes of the year. Marcus Ericsson missed the top 10 by just one place while Kamui Kobayashi completed the circuit in thirteenth position. However the cars have been back markers for most of the campaign, that’s when they’re on the track. Caterham’s registered 10 race retirements this year as well as not managing to get a car to the grid at the Singapore Grand Prix in September.

The race is on to be involved in next year’s racing but only time will tell if 11 teams take to the grid. While Marussia and Caterham aren’t the fastest teams on the circuit surely they’ll add another element to Formula One if they make it on the track in 2015.