Kolles: “Campos, an empty workshop”

Dr. Colin Kolles discovers the scale of the work that awaits him. Appointed Campos team principal following the takeover of the team by Jose Ramon Carabante (see elsewhere), the former boss of Force India must now take stock of the situation before reorganizing the team and placing it on the path to success, at least that which will allow Campos to take part in the world championship of Formula 1.

« My role is to clean up this chaos! », Says Colin Kolles, quoted by Adam Cooper, F1 journalist, on his blog. The former Force India team manager discovered a team in more distress than he thought. “ They had nothing, just nothingness. The only department that really exists is the IT department, where there are eight people who have never seen a Formula 1 car in their life, and who make simulation software. Then there are two or three engineers who have F1 experience, and that's it. It’s really a crazy story. »

« For two weeks, I have only slept two hours a night », continues Dr Colin Kolles. “ I want to succeed in getting the team onto the starting grid, allow it to get through the year, stabilize it and build on these foundations. »

If he wants to be present in Bahrain with Campos, Colin Kolles recognizes that the challenge is important. On the one hand, Dallara worked well. On the other hand, Campos is very late. “ We will have two cars in Bahrain, confides Dr. Kolles. I don't know how we're going to get them, and I don't care, but we'll get them on the grid. If it happens like this, it will be one of the most incredible things ever. They had nothing. They had an empty workshop, and nothing in it »

In addition, Colin Kolles affirms that Dallara went back to work, the firm having received assurances of being paid for the single-seaters developed. It is even from Italy that Campos will prepare for the start of the season. “ The team will be based in Spain, but for the moment we will operate from Dallara, at least for the first race, then we will see. Ultimately, the team will be based in Spain, in Murcia. »