SKM Racing plans Caterham F1 bid for 2027 via brand license

A plan to bring back the Caterham name to Formula One is moving from concept to formal bid, led by a young Kuwaiti investor and his investment firm. SKM Capital, fronted by Saad KassisMohamed, is proposing a new squad, SKM Racing, with the aim of debuting in 2027 and using a brand licence rather than reviving the old corporate structure. The proposal envisions a two-site operation, a Silverstone technical centre and a Munich-based racing department, backed by a budget of about 280 million euros over its first three years, and a blueprint that relies on a mix of in-house engineering and strategic outsourcing.

The operational and leadership framework for SKM Racing has been outlined in the group’s public materials. Elena Richter will serve as Managing Director, with Marco Bianchi directing technology, Aisha Khan overseeing performance, and Tobias Meier handling finance. Initial staffing is planned at roughly 210 to 230 employees, increasing to around 320 by the end of the third year, with a deliberate emphasis on steady, capability-driven growth rather than rapid expansion. A junior research program with universities in England and Germany is part of the strategy to cultivate a...