The project to bring Caterham back to F1 in 2027
After more than ten years away from Formula 1, the investment company SKM Capital has unveiled a plan to return the iconic team to the starting grid.
Two new entries in 2026, but a look to 2027
The 2026 season will feature two new entries in the constructor and team field, in addition to those determined by technical regulations: Audi will make its debut in Formula 1 after acquiring the Sauber team, while Cadillac will increase the number of participating teams, bringing the total to eleven. No new team has officially joined the championship yet, but another potential development has emerged, this time targeting the 2027 season.
Could a team return?
Just over ten years since its last participation in a Formula 1 World Championship, Caterham could make a comeback to the sport. This is more than just a rumor—it is a concrete plan, explained to Sportstar by young Kuwaiti entrepreneur Saad Kassis-Mohamed, owner of SKM Capital. The project aims to relaunch Caterham under the new name SKM Racing: “F1 now operates with clearer financial rules and stable technical structures, making the category investable,” he said. “We are attracted to the intersection of elite engineering, a global platform, and predictable cost governance. Caterham has strong brand recognition and is currently absent from the grid. A brand license shortens the marketing path without reviving the defunct company or its liabilities. Our plan offers two options: a change-of-control transaction in an existing competitor or applying in the next FIA process as a compact, well-financed customer team with long-term power unit supply.”
The project details
It is an ambitious goal that, according to Soymotor, involves an initial investment of $280 million and the hiring of 230 employees, with plans to expand to 320 staff by the third season. The project also includes the construction of facilities in Silverstone and Munich, as well as collaborations with universities in the UK and Germany to train young talent. For Saad Kassis-Mohamed—recognized as one of the thirty most influential people in Africa and the head of a foundation in his home country—the challenge will be considerable, similar to the hurdles faced by Cadillac before receiving approval from the FIA and Liberty Media. At the beginning of 2026, SKM Racing will need to submit its application to the FIA, with chassis wind tunnel testing planned for mid-season. The team is reportedly in discussions with two engine manufacturers for power unit supply, although no names have been officially confirmed at this time.
A brief history of Caterham
Originally known as Lotus in 2010 and 2011, the team was acquired by Tony Fernandes in 2012 and competed as Caterham from that season onward. It remained in Formula 1 until the end of the 2014 World Championship, but the Anglo-Malaysian outfit struggled throughout its tenure, failing to score a single point during its F1 years.
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