Caterham could be missing in Austria - rumour

Jun.13 (GMM) Caterham's F1 foray could be coming to an immediate halt, if the latest rumours are to be believed.

A couple of weeks ago, team owner Tony Fernandes - who has been notably absent from the F1 paddock in 2014 - denied reports he has put the team up for sale.

"It is, however, true that the group is actively searching for additional investment as it seeks to fulfil ambitious plans to develop," Caterham said in a statement.

And a new statement issued by Caterham confirmed that it has sold its stake in the joint Alpine sports car project to Renault.

Now, the latest rumour - flourishing on Twitter and put in print by Speed Week - is that Caterham's F1 project is ceasing immediately, with the green-coloured team to be absent when the 2014 calendar resumes next weekend in Austria.

Speed Week referred to "budget problems" as the main issue, adding that Caterham or Fernandes are yet to comment.

Speed Week said there are rumours Caterham could also pull out of the second-tier motorcycle grand prix racing category Moto2, having until now fielded a team called AirAsia Caterham.

Rumours about the F1 team were already doing the rounds last weekend in Canada, where it was whispered that sale talks took place with the prospective new outfit Forza Rossa, led by former HRT and Force India chief Colin Kolles.