Caterham’s time in Formula 1 was short, forgettable, and honestly a little tragic. From 2012 to 2014, their green machines hovered at the back of the pack, never scoring a single point before collapsing under financial pressure. For most fans, Caterham became a piece of F1 trivia rather than a story worth retelling. But now, almost a decade later, the name might be on the verge of a stunning return. Reports suggest a brand-new operation could bring Caterham back onto the grid by 2027, this time with a much stronger foundation. So, how real is this comeback, and what’s fueling it?
The Money and the Plan
Unlike Caterham’s first attempt, this revival is being driven by serious funding. The project is led by 24-year-old Kuwaiti entrepreneur Saad Kassis-Mohamed through his firm SKM Capital, which has committed nearly €280 million over the first three years. The operation will run under the name SKM Racing, but intends to use the Caterham brand for its history and recognition. Crucially, this isn’t about resurrecting the old team’s debts; it’s a fresh entry with a licensed name, which means a clean financial slate.
The team is planning a dual-base structure, with a technical center at Silverstone, the hub of motorsport engineering, and a racing department in Munich. Leadership is already lined up, with Elena Richter as managing director and specialists handling technology, performance, and finance. They’re starting small with about 220 employees and hope to build toward 320 in a few years. For comparison, that’s lean compared to giants like Ferrari or Red Bull, but right in the sweet spot for a new outfit looking to scale gradually.
The Road to 2027
The most pressing question is whether Caterham will actually make it onto the grid. The roadmap is ambitious: FIA paperwork and facility setup by early 2026, a first chassis ready by late 2026, and a 2027 debut if everything lines up. Power unit discussions are ongoing, with Ferrari and Honda seen as the strongest candidates. Mercedes has already maxed out on supplying teams, while Red Bull’s partnership with Ford is off the table. Without a competitive engine deal, though, Caterham risks repeating its old backmarker story.
And then there’s the political side of F1. Just ask Andretti, who, despite General Motors’ backing, is still battling to gain approval. Money and infrastructure aren’t enough anymore; teams need to prove they add real value to the sport. F1 has been protective of its ten-team grid, and unless SKM Racing can tick all the boxes, financial stability, technical readiness, and commercial appeal, there’s no guarantee they’ll get the nod.
As of now, Caterham’s return sits somewhere between hopeful and realistic. The financial muscle is there, the leadership structure is in place, and the timeline makes sense. But breaking into F1 is harder than ever, and even with the Caterham name, there’s no guarantee they’ll be welcomed back. If everything goes their way, though, we could see those iconic green cars back on the grid in 2027, this time with a chance to write a new chapter rather than fade into the footnotes of Formula 1 history.
Also read: Kuwaiti Investor Saad Kassis-Mohamed To Bring Back Caterham? Find Out
