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Caterham takes legal action against ex-employees

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The Caterham F1 team is taking legal action against a group of former staff members who plan to sue the team, saying they made damaging accusations about the team that misrepresented the facts.

Representatives of a group of around 40 ex-employees announced on Monday that they planned to sue the team for damages following their dismissal. However, Caterham hit back on Tuesday saying the group had misrepresented the facts of the situation in a way that could damage its reputation.

"Caterham F1 Team has read with great concern recent reports about a group of individuals who are claiming unfair dismissal from the Formula One 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.

"These 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 One 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 One World Championship, and building for the 2015 campaign and beyond."

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