Caterham’s Top 5 Highlights of the 2014 Formula One Season

It’s been a year of uncertainty for Caterham, a scrappy but perennial underdog that has a strong fan following. In its fifth year of existence, Team Green has not scored a championship point, and its future is currently in doubt because of finances.

But there were some highlights this season for the Leafield, England-based team.

5. Sweden’s Marcus Ericsson joins Caterham for 2014. Ericsson, a champion in the British Formula BMW and Japanese Formula Three series, moved up to Formula One after two seasons in GP2.

4. Japanese driver Kamui Kobayashi returns to Formula One with Caterham. Kobayashi, a fan favorite because of his audacious driving style, joined the team in 2014 after spending a year racing sports cars with Ferrari.

3. Three-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Andre Lotterer, who races for Audi in the FIA World Endurance Championship, competes for Caterham in Belgian Grand Prix. Lotterer’s appearance gave the team some extra media coverage — as well as a much-needed shot of cash. But his Formula One race debut was cut short when he retired in the opening laps with power unit problems.

2. Kobayashi qualifies 15th for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, the the team’s best qualifying result of the season.

1. Ericsson finishes the Monaco Grand Prix in 11th place, just shy of the points and the team’s best finish since Brazil 2012.