Caterham team principal Manfredi Ravetto claims that the items seized by bailiffs earlier this week were nothing more than memorabilia.

Whilst the Sheriff's Office awaits further information as to whether the numerous items, including a test car (2013), car parts (allegedly due for Japan 2014), Full size 6 DOF motion platform F1 simulator, steering wheels, wheels with tyres, high quality drilling & machining equipment, various pit lane equipment including jacks, pumps and starters, TVs, monitors and other goods and equipment, can be sold or not, Ravetto insists that nothing that might compromise the team's ability to compete was taken, only "memorabilia".

"When they were in Leafield, not a single screwdriver was removed for the very simple reason that our solicitors got all the paperwork done in order to prove that it is a matter of totally different companies," he told reporters at Suzuka.

"As far as I can see, the parts of the 2014 car for the Japanese Grand Prix are next door," he smiled. "There was a bailiff who removed certain stuff, but this is more memorabilia than race critical parts."

Earlier this week, just hours after the visit from the bailiffs, Caterham issued a statement regarding "unfounded and unsubstantiated rumours concerning actions against 1MRT, the entrant and owner of CaterhamF1".

Pitpass understands that there are three companies at the heart of this. Caterham Sports Limited, a UK company wholly owned by Malaysia-based 1MRT, and Caterham CF1 Grand Prix Ltd which is owned by Ravetto and was incorporated on 29 August, the same day that 38 former staff issued employment Tribunal Proceedings.

Never looking fully comfortable or entirely convincing, Ravetto did his best to dismiss claims that the team's demise is imminent, that it might not even see out the season far less line-up on the grid in Melbourne next March.

"I agree I did not provide you with a bankable guarantee that we will be here until the end of the season or next year, but who can?" he admitted. "I can tell you that I am very much confident," again insisting that the team's 2015 contender is being developed in Germany.

"On the other side we are also realistic," he added. "We know where we are coming from, or at least where this team is coming from, so we are also quite relaxed in this respect."

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Chris Balfe