The Caterham F1 Team has begun legal proceedings against a group of former employees who were recently sacked in a bid to reduce the outfit’s budget and streamline its processes.
The group of employees are already suing the team for what they claim was unfair dismissal, but Caterham has hit back with its own legal action, claiming the facts have been ‘misrepresented’.
“Caterham F1 Team has read with great concern recent reports about a group of individuals who are claiming unfair dismissal from the Formula 1 team following its takeover by new owners,” read a statement from the team.
“The team is now taking legal action against those parties representing the individuals concerned, and each person involved, seeking compensation for the damages suffered by the team due to the gross misrepresentation of the facts made by all those concerned.”
Caterham claims the axed staff were employed by a supplier to the holding company, 1Malaysia Racing, not the team directly, and that claims of unpair salary aren’t true.
“Claims include the statement that they have been released from Caterham F1 Team – this is incorrect. Caterham F1 Team’s staff are employed by a company that is a supplier to the company that holds its F1 licence, the licence that allows it to compete in the Formula 1 World Championship.
“Additionally, the team has read claims that its staff were not paid in July – again, this is wholly untrue. Every individual currently employed by Caterham F1 Team was paid their July salary in full on 25th July, one week before it is formally due on the last day of the month, in this case 31st July.
“A formal request for the withdrawal of the relevant press statement issued on 28th July has been made by Caterham F1 Team and the team will vigorously pursue its action against all those concerned. However, it will not allow its core focus to be distracted from achieving tenth place in the 2014 Formula 1 World Championship, and building for the 2015 campaign and beyond.”
