Kobayashi: New owners saved Caterham

By on Thursday, July 24, 2014
Caterham F1 Team

Caterham F1 Team

Kamui Kobayashi says that Caterham was unlikely to finish the 2014 season, had the squad not been taken over.

Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes, who started the operation at the end of 2009, sold the team to a group of Swiss and Middle Eastern investors prior to the British Grand Prix at the start of this month.

Kobayashi believes that while Caterham still faces an uphill task, the sale of the team was the right move.

"I was quite [surprised] having these changes during the season with a new owner, but I think this is what we need, otherwise I think we couldn't finish the season," he said ahead of this weekend's Hungarian Grand Prix.

"It was the right move. As you see it in the news I think people left, quite a lot, straightaway, but I think we need to keep motivated because I think if we want to survive we need to change something. I think this is the right thing. I need really hope."

Kobayashi nonetheless feels that Caterham must still make big changes if they are to finish 10th in the Constructors' championship.

"Of course, it's the same from my side," he said.

"I think I need to always drive 100 per cent. This just gives motivation. The biggest things… if we want to change something, we need to change the biggest things not the small things.

"We have new guys coming and many people left, but I think we have responsibility in each part and this is going to help everybody and let's see what happens."


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