Caterham CT05

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.

Caterham CT05

Marcus Ericsson driving the CT05 at the British Grand Prix
Category	Formula One
Constructor	Caterham
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)
Predecessor	Caterham CT03
Technical specifications[1]
Chassis	Carbon fibre monocoque
Suspension (front)	Twin non-parallel wishbone, pullrod actuated
Suspension (rear)	As front
Engine	Renault Energy F1-2014[2] 1.6 L (98 cu in) V6, turbo with ERS, mid-mounted
Electric motor	Motor Generator Unit–Kinetic Motor Generator Unit–Heat
Transmission	Red Bull Technology 8 speed gearbox semi-automatic
Battery	Renault lithium-ion batteries solution
Power	600 hp (447 kW) + 160 hp (119 kW) with MGU-K
Fuel	Total Excellium
Lubricants	Total Quartz 9000
Tyres	Pirelli P Zero (dry), Cinturato (wet)
Competition history
Notable entrants	Caterham F1 Team
Notable drivers	9. Marcus Ericsson 10. Kamui Kobayashi 45. André Lotterer 46. Will Stevens
Debut	2014 Australian Grand Prix
Last event	2014 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Races Wins Podiums Poles F/Laps 17 0 0 0 0

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

Design and technical

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]

Launch and testing

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]

Livery

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