It was one of the more bewildering sights of the 2014 Formula 1 season, as Finbarr O’Connell took his place in the FIA team principals’ press conference at the Abu Dhabi GP. O’Connell was working for insolvency firm Smith & Williamson, who in turn had taken on the administration of Caterham Sports Limited.
O’Connell arrived, dressed in white and green Caterham kit, after the team raised £2.3million through a crowdfunding campaign so it could make the final race of the season. Caterham’s crippling finances had meant it missed both the US and Brazilian GPs, as the coffers were dry. By raising funds, O’Connell had hoped that he would be able to showcase Caterham to any potential buyers.
