Caterham fights back against ex-staff allegations (Update)
Earlier in July, following founder Tony Fernandes' sale of the green-colored team to mysterious Swiss-Middle Eastern investors, new bosses Colin Kolles and Christijan Albers ousted about 40 of Caterham's Leafield-based workforce.
Caterham announced at the time that it was a "necessary step" for the "future of the team".
But a lawyer representing the workers announced during the Hungarian grand prix weekend that the sackings were "without warning or consultation".
Solicitor Christopher Felton alleged Caterham breached employment laws and contracts, announcing it will "result in significant compensation claims against the team".
But Caterham hit back on Tuesday by saying it read the reports of the legal action "with great concern".
"The team is now taking legal action … seeking compensation for the damages suffered by the team due to the gross misrepresentation of the facts made by all those concerned," the team said in a media statement.
Caterham said the staff were only ever employed through a third party, insisting it is "wholly untrue" they were not paid in July.
07/29/14 Caterham F1 Team has read with great concern recent reports about a group of individuals who are claiming unfair dismissal from the Formula 1 team following its takeover by new owners.
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 license, the license that allows it to compete in the Formula 1 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 1 World Championship, and building for the 2015 campaign and beyond.