ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - Caterham has bucked expectations and arrived in Abu Dhabi for the final Formula 1 race of 2014.
After a two-race absence and with administrators raising money through 'crowd-funding', scarcely a soul in the Interlagos paddock truly believed the green team would make the trip to the United Emirates capital.
Indeed, there was still scepticism mere days earlier when the team announced its comeback and signed up Kamui Kobayashi to race, then on Tuesday, at the Yas Marina circuit, Caterham is definitely among the teams busily setting up for the weekend's racing.
MYSTERY DRIVER?
Images on social media show Caterham staff, although reportedly laid off, arriving through the paddock turnstile, and the team posted photos on Twitter confirming its "busy, busy, busy" efforts to set up the garage.
All this despite the team not yet confirming the identity of Japanese Kobayashi's team mate.
Another driver apparently out of the running is the talented Dutchman Robin Frijns, who earlier in 2014 was the team's reserve driver.
He told racexpress.nl: "My manager Timo Gans said I am not driving in Abu Dhabi but I can't say anything about it."