Team profile: Caterham

Caterham took a step backwards in 2012 - not in terms of championship position (although they hung on to 10th place by the skin of their teeth) but in terms of performance.

Expecting to finally bridge the gap to the midfield, Caterham found instead that they were battling with Marussia.

Caterham facts and stats

  • Nationality: Malaysian
  • Headquarters: Leafield, Oxfordshire
  • Debut season: 2010
  • Drivers: Charles Pic and Giedo van der Garde
  • Team principal: Cyril Abiteboul
  • Technical director: Mark Smith
  • Engine: Renault V8
  • 2012 position: 10th

Timo Glock's somewhat fortunate 12th place in Singapore actually leapfrogged Marussia ahead of Caterham into 10th position in the constructors' championship for a time.

But in the closing laps of a chaotic Brazil Vitaly Petrov finally edged ahead of Marussia's Charles Pic to finish 11th and Caterham grabbed it - and the millions that go with it - back.

Finance-wise, that was a relief, but it still leaves concerns over performance. The 2012 Caterham was too heavy and did not have enough downforce and the word was that their technical team was simply not strong enough.

Can they resume their upward curve in 2013?