Tony Fernandes stepping down as Caterham team principal

[AndyL]

Fernandes to step down as Caterham team boss and says he knows successorJames Allen on F1 (http://www.jamesallenonf1.com/2012/11/fernandes-to-step-down-as-caterham-team-boss-and-says-he-knows-successor/)

It seems Tony Fernandes has decided it's time for his team to be led by an F1 specialist and will appoint a new team principal for next year. Apparently it's someone from within F1, but presumably not Mike Gascoyne as he's moved out to the Caterham group and will be busy with their joint sports car venture with Renault. So whose name do we think might be in the frame?

[Norwegian Blue]

Flavio....? ;)

[Bias]

Honestly, I expected this because Fernandes had A LOT riding on this season to prove Caterham could compete with the mid-field. It has not happened yet. They are getting slightly closer to STR, but they still have a ways to go. He's jumped ship, but I think it is going to at least take two or three more years. Also, Marussia was the surprise this season because Pic and Glock have been extremely close, if not being able to beat Caterham this season. Also, think about Marussia's small budget and their FIRST season of using a wind tunnel. Then, Marussia also uses Cosworth engines instead of the Renault engines and Red Bull running gear Caterham runs.

Its not all about money, its about how the team uses the budget they already have. Caterham needs to figure out what they need to do in order to continue to move forwards and not go backwards.

[Koz]

His replacement is someone who is works for Renault's engines division??

Jean-Francois Caubet?

[Knock-on]

Cyril Abiteboul replaces Tony Fernandes as Caterham team principal - F1 news - AUTOSPORT.com (http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/104109)

[wedge]

I was rather sceptical of Fernandes courting brand names - biggest fear of becoming the Danny Bahar of F1. But it seems like he knows what he's doing after all.

Good luck with Renault and also Alpine too.

[steveaki13]

I have been away for a few days, but this is no major suprise for me. He seemed to be losing a bit of interest.

Now he can watch every game that QPR lose and fire Mark Hughes.

I dont know much about this young guy, but Caterham need to do something different you feel to make that step they are looking for.