• Caterham

Fernandes sparks new rumours of Caterham sale

ESPN Staff
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Caterham has been at the back of the field this year © Sutton Images
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Tony Fernandes has rekindled speculation that he will sell the Caterham Formula One team after admitting "F1 hasn't worked" as he closed his account on Twitter on Thursday.

Fernandes denied he was selling the Caterham Group last month after rumours the F1 team and car company were up for sale, but the latest speculation centres around the team alone. When contacted by ESPN, a team spokesperson declined to comment on the rumours.

"F1 hasn't worked. Love Caterham cars," Fernandes tweeted on Thursday after revealing he was leaving the social networking website.

"Maybe I return," he wrote in previous tweets. "Been fun. And damn useful. Speak the truth be brave. Dare to dream, believe the unbelievable and never take no for an answer. Stand up for what you believe, fight oppression and most important enjoy life."

The first sign Fernandes had fallen out of love with Formula One came ahead of the season when he appeared to issue an ultimatum to the team.

'My message to the 250 people here (at the factory) is we have to go for it this year," he in January. "This is it - the final chance. We've given you the best infrastructure, the best potential drivers, but it is now down to all of you to go and do it. If we're at the back I don't think I'm going to carry on. Nothing is set in stone, but after five years with no points there is a limit to one's patience, money, motivation, etcetera, so it's an important year."

The team has struggled again this season and seen rivals Marussia beat it to scoring their first championship points at the Monaco Grand Prix. Both Caterham and Marussia have struggled to compete since joining the sport in 2010, while HRT closed its doors at the end of 2012 after three years of financial difficulties.

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