O'Connell never claimed to have a huge interest or expertise in Formula One, but as the representative of adminstrators Smith & Williamson for the Caterham F1 team, his crowdfunding plans to get the squad to Abu Dhabi meant he had to step in as team principal. He searched for a buyer whilst participating in the weekend activities but ultimately the team were unable to be sold and folded at the end of 2014.

Biography

Finbarr O'Connell didn't have much interest in Formula One before he was thrown in at the deep end as acting team principal of the Caterham squad during their period of administration. Having previous experience of motorsport restructurings and financial services, O'Connell took over the business in October 2014 on behalf of administrators Smith & Williamson and began searching for a buyer.

O'Connell is a chartered accountant with the firm, and has over 25 years experience in the industry. Stepping into the breach, he realised that the closed factory wasn't appealing to investors, setting forth to find a way to get the team to the final race of the 2014 season and thus making himself team principal by default.

He made his first appearance in the F1 paddock in Abu Dhabi, having successfully crowdfunded contributions from fans to get the team to the last round of 2014. He appeared in the press conference, made media appearances, and undertook several meetings with potential buyers but sadly nothing came of it and the team folded.