The remarkable tale of F1’s unlikeliest team 'boss'

It was one of the more bewildering sights of the 2014 Formula 1 season, as Finbarr O’Connell took his place in the FIA team principals’ press conference at the Abu Dhabi GP. O’Connell was working for insolvency firm Smith & Williamson, who in turn had taken on the administration of Caterham Sports Limited. O’Connell arrived, dressed in white and green Caterham kit, after the team raised £2.

3million through a crowdfunding campaign so it could make the final race of the season. Caterham’s crippling finances had meant it missed both the US and Brazilian GPs, as the coffers were dry. By raising funds, O’Connell had hoped that he would be able to showcase Caterham to any potential buyers.

Now a decade on, Motorsport.com caught up with O’Connell, one of F1’s unlikeliest team bosses, to ask him for his lasting memories of what turned out to be Caterham's swansong at the Yas Marina Circuit. “I have four lasting memories from the Abu Dhabi GP,” he says.

“The first is of the Caterham F1 team spirit. These ladies and gentlemen all came together with only their expenses being paid because of their love for the team. I remember saying to the press in Abu Dhabi that this team had two engines, the Renault power unit under the bonnet and the men and women in the team who gave their all for something which was much more than just a job for them, which was their team, their life and their pride.

“The second memory was sitting at the pit wall with my ‘cans’ on my he.