Caterham’s ghost seeks an F1 return – Formula One is never far from its next crisis and for many people keenly awaiting the reality of the huge new regulation coming in 2026, some unexpected tragedies are expected. Last week F1’s CEO Stefano Domencali was reported as saying ‘Don’t judge us on the first race in Melbourne’ which was then supported by the FIA’s latest announcement.
F1’s governing body has been fleshing out over this year a ‘catchup’ mechanism for any team or power unit manufacturer who fails significantly behind the rest of the field. This follows comments from F1 car design wizard, Adrian Newey, who expressed concern in February that we could see a repeat of 2014 when Mercedes delivered an all conquering power unit, which saw the rest take more than half a decade to catch up.
“There has to be a chance that one manufacturer will come out well on top, and it will become a power-unit-dominated regulation, at least to start with. There’s a chance that if it’s on the combustion engine side of it, that somebody comes up with a dominant combustion engine that will last through the length of the formula, because the way the regulations are written, it’s quite difficult for people who are behind to catch up,” said Newey.
FIA announce 2026 ‘catch up’ programme
Now the FIA have announced their ADUO programme for 2026, which stands for Additional Development and Update Opportunities. Now the FIA’s technical officer, Nikolas Tombazis revealed Newey’s concerns have been heard and F1’s governing body will measure the output of the various internal combustion engines produced over the first five race weekends.
Any power unit which is more than 3% down on the ICE will be eligible for the FIA’s catchup programme with extra money available above the cost cap, together with addition bench testing time for those particular manufacturers. With the team on their summer annual break, there has been no response from them yet to this initiative, but reaction is surely to come at the upcoming Dutch Grand Prix.
Further, the president of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem has also announced this year, he will be again opening the doors in the Place de Concorde for applications from interested parties to form a twelfth F1 team. The last time he did this, the process didn’t go too well, with the teams and FOM refusing to accept Andretti F1, until the name was changed to Cadillac, retain personnel relocated to other projects although there was significant influence from the long arm of the US Justice Department who were threatening billions in fines for anti-competitive practices.
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Ben Sulayem opens the door for a 12th F1 team
When asked in June about the possibility of a 12th F1 team, Ben Sulayem told assembled media, “
There have been discussions, I still believe we need more teams, not more races. If a Chinese team were to apply, I can tell you – speaking now on behalf of FOM [and the teams] – that they would be all for it because it would be good for business.”
The Concorde agreement which binds the FIA, FOM and the teams legally does allow for twelve F1 teams, although some reports suggest in its earlier versions the number was in fact thirteen. Today reports are circulating that a wealthy Kuwaiti investor is seeking to bring back to F1, the dormant Caterham entry under a new banner for 2027.
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The ghost of Caterham to return
A press release from Saad Kassis-Mohamed Capital states their intentions to return the dormant team entry under the name SKM Racing, subject to FIA approval and a deal with Liberty Media.
Caterham last appeared in Formula 1 in 2014, bowing out after two turbulent seasons that ended in bankruptcy. Drivers such as Giedo van der Garde and Kamui Kobayashi once carried its colours, but the team left little lasting mark on the sport beyond being another failed back marker project. Despite that, the brand retains recognition, and now an ambitious new backer believes he can give it a second life.
The driving force is Saad Kassis-Mohamed, a 24-year-old entrepreneur previously recognised by Forbes in its “30 Under 30” list for social impact in Africa. Through his investment firm SKM Capital, Kassis-Mohamed has already pledged an astonishing €280 million per year to fund the project. Alongside his philanthropic work on the African continent, he now wants to position himself as a serious player in global motorsport, starting with the most expensive stage of all.
Investor names his team leaders
Scepticism remains high. Cadillac’s entry into Formula 1, only approved after years of wrangling over financial distribution and the weight of General Motors behind it, showed just how formidable the barriers are for new entrants. Compared to an automotive giant like GM, SKM Racing looks like a much riskier proposition.
Still, the investor has named an initial leadership team, with Elena Richter proposed as managing director, Marco Bianchi overseeing technology, and Aisha Khan in charge of performance. Whether these appointments are based on signed contracts or are merely aspirational announcements is difficult to confirm at the moment.
If Caterham were to return, it would be the 12th team on the grid, something Formula 1 has not seen since the mid-2010s. Yet back then Bernie Ecclestone funded the three new teams prize money, given the existing ten refused to accept any dilution in their apportionment.
F1 team application’s are onerous
The prospect of Caterham’s revival may capture the imagination, but the financial and political challenges of modern Formula 1 are enormous. For now, the idea feels more like a bold pitch than an imminent reality. Yet, in a sport where billionaires and dreamers regularly collide, Caterham’s name once again in the headlines is enough to spark curiosity across the paddock.
Ben Sulayem has yet to back up his proposal for a new application process to begin, which in itself is not a short process. When Andretti applied, potential teams must demonstrate it could handle the sport’s immense financial demands. The FIA will scrutinise applicants’ ability to secure and sustain funding, ensuring they can not only meet their financial obligations but also compete at a genuinely competitive level.
As part of the process, candidates must submit a comprehensive five-year business plan, complete with financial projections. They’ll also be required to demonstrate their depth of experience in motorsport and automotive industries, covering everything from technical know-how and racing pedigree to facilities, equipment, engineering resources, and staffing levels.
Fans would love 12th team
But money and infrastructure aren’t the only criteria. Prospective teams must also prove that their leadership and key personnel are “fit and proper” to take part in F1 ownership and management. On top of that, they’ll need to present clear commitments to sustainability, equality, diversity, inclusion (EDI), and broader societal benefits—a nod to the sport’s growing emphasis on its global image and responsibility.
With the teams and FOM finally agreeing a commercial deal with Cadillac, which they all once opposed, maybe this time the barriers to entry will be less contested given the new Concorde Agreement now includes a $650m entrance fee for any newcomer, for the existing teams to share.
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The clock is literally ticking until Cadillac makes its Formula One debut. “On the wall of every office that we have is a countdown clock,” team principal Graeme Lowdon told The Associated Press. “It’s counting down to two things.”
The first is the moment Cadillac’s new power unit and car combined fires up for the very first time. The second is free practice at the 2026 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, where the American giant will officially join F1’s grid.
It’s the start of a new mission for General Motors, and the end of years of wrangling — a saga that has featured protracted negotiations with F1, changes in name and leadership, and even a brush with the U.S. Justice Department.
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
