Caterham CT05

Caterham CT05
Marcus Ericsson driving the CT05 at the British Grand Prix
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorCaterham
Designer(s)Mark Smith (Technical Director)
John Iley (Performance Director)
Lewis Butler (Chief Designer)
Elliot Dason-Barber (Head of Vehicle Dynamics and R&D)
Hari Roberts (Head of Aerodynamics)
PredecessorCaterham CT03
Technical specifications[1]
ChassisCarbon fibre monocoque
Suspension (front)Twin non-parallel wishbone, pullrod actuated
Suspension (rear)As front
EngineRenault Energy F1-2014[2] 1.6 L (98 cu in) V6, turbo with ERS, mid-mounted
Electric motor
TransmissionRed Bull Technology 8 speed gearbox semi-automatic
BatteryRenault lithium-ion batteries solution
Power600 hp (447 kW) + 160 hp (119 kW) with MGU-K
FuelTotal
LubricantsTotal Quartz 9000
TyresPirelli P Zero (dry), Cinturato (wet)
Competition history
Notable entrantsCaterham F1 Team
Notable drivers9. Sweden Marcus Ericsson
10. Japan Kamui Kobayashi
45. Germany André Lotterer
46. United Kingdom Will Stevens
Debut2014 Australian Grand Prix
Last event2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
170000

The Caterham CT05 is a Formula One racing car that competed in the 2014 Formula One Season. It was the last Caterham F1 car before the team folded prior to the start of the 2015 season.

The car was driven by debutant Marcus Ericsson and Kamui Kobayashi who returned to Formula One after a season driving in the FIA World Endurance Championship with AF Corse.[3][4] André Lotterer replaced Kobayashi for the Belgian Grand Prix, and Will Stevens replaced Ericsson for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.[5][6] Alongside the drivers, Caterham also operated a driver programme which expanded in mid 2014 when Christijan Albers took over as CEO. Drivers who were involved with CT05 either through practice runs or development included Robin Frijns, Alexander Rossi, Julian Leal, Rio Haryanto and Nathanaël Berthon.[7]

Development

The CT05 initially featured a unique and extensively discussed nosecone

The CT05 was designed by Mark Smith, Lewis Butler and Hari Roberts at the new Leafield Technical Centre. The engine was the new Renault Energy F1-2014, and the gearbox from Red Bull Technology. Ahead of 2014, the team had struck an agreement with Toyota Motorsport to utilise their wind tunnel for testing and development, alongside upgraded CFD capacity at the new base.[8][9]

The CT05 was launched during pre-season testing in Jerez in late January, 2014. Marcus Ericsson drove the new car first on track. The car had a rear and wing design similar to Red Bull Racing and a unique nose cone. By August, the controversial nose design was adapted slightly to a more rounded design.[10][11]

The CT05 featured a new livery design for the team, a bold metallic green set off with flashed of white, yellow and black. Airbus, GE and Dell Computers Intel took major sponsorship on the car.[12][13] After the team missed two races due to funding, the final race of the season saw a car adorned with sponsors who had helped the CT05 reach the final race of the year.[14][15]

Racing performance

Ericsson at the British Grand Prix

The car performed poorly throughout the season. At the first Grand Prix of the year in Australia, both drivers retired. Indeed, the CT05 would chalk up 12 retirements in total, and three Grand Prix where neither car finished.[16]

The best result of the season was in Monaco, for Marcus Ericsson who finished in 11th place.[17]

André Lotterer took over driving the CT05 at Belgium as Kobayashi, with no specific reason given.[18] He would ultimately retire from the race. Kobayashi returned to the car, and in Singapore he failed to start the race as his brakes failed on the formation lap.[19]

The CT05 is noted for its unreliability. Pictured is Kobayashi failing to start the Singapore Grand Prix with an oil pressure issue.

Financial difficulties hit the team and they failed to field either CT05 at the United States or Brazilian Grand Prix.[20] However, they returned for the final round in Abu Dhabi where Will Stevens drove in place of Ericsson before folding.[21]

Complete Formula One results

(key)

Year Entrant Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Pts WCC
2014 Caterham F1 Team Renault Energy F1-2014 P AUS MAL BHR CHN ESP MON CAN AUT GBR GER HUN BEL ITA SIN JPN RUS USA BRA ABU 0 11th
Marcus Ericsson Ret 14 Ret 20 20 11 Ret 18 Ret 18 Ret 17 19 15 17 19
Kamui Kobayashi Ret 13 15 18 Ret 13 Ret 16 15 16 Ret 17 DNS 19 Ret Ret
André Lotterer Ret
Will Stevens 17

‡ — Teams and drivers scored double points at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

References

  1. ^ "Caterham CT05 - F1technical.net".
  2. ^ "Renault unveil 2014 turbo engine". Formula One World Championship Limited. 21 June 2013. Retrieved 20 October 2013.
  3. ^ "Kamui Kobayashi spurned Ferrari for 2014 Caterham Formula 1 seat". Autosport. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  4. ^ "Kobayashi and Ericsson to race for Caterham in 2014". F1. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  5. ^ "Andre Lotterer's Caterham Debut Shows There Is More Than 1 Way to Break into F1". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  6. ^ "Abu Dhabi GP: Will Stevens to race second Caterham F1 car". Autosport. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  7. ^ "Caterham launch new 'Development Driver Program' with Berthon". F1. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  8. ^ "Caterham CT05 Renault". F1 Technical. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  9. ^ "Caterham CT05 unveiled". PitPass. 28 January 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  10. ^ "Caterham Reveal the CT05 - With an Interesting Nose". Motorsport. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  11. ^ "Caterham debuts new nose cone". F1 Technical. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  12. ^ "Caterham renews with Dell/Intel as 2014 drivers confirmed". Sports Pro Media. 22 January 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  13. ^ "Ex-team owner Fernandes in hot water over Airbus' sponsorship of Caterham F1 team". Motorsport Week. 4 February 2020. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  14. ^ "Caterham CT05". Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  15. ^ "Sponsor Watch: 2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix". racefans.net. 28 November 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  16. ^ "Caterham CT05". Stats F1. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  17. ^ "Marcus Ericsson 2014 Stats". F1. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  18. ^ "Belgian GP: Andre Lotterer in for Kamui Kobayashi at Caterham". BBC Sport. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  19. ^ "Kobayashi: It's a shame". PlanetF1. 22 September 2014. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  20. ^ "Caterham can miss U.S. and Brazilian Grands Prix with Bernie Ecclestone's permission". Sky Sports. Retrieved 22 July 2022.
  21. ^ "CATERHAM F1 TEAM ENTER ADMINISTRATION, PARTS PUT UP FOR SALE ON TWITTER". Eurosport. Retrieved 22 July 2022.