THERE are reports Caterham F1 staff have been locked out of the West Oxfordshire site this morning. 

Confusion surrounds the future of the troubled West Oxfordshire-based Caterham F1 motor racing team as former boss Tony Fernandes faces legal action by the current 'owners'.

Caterham, based at Leafield Technical Centre, was bought from Malaysian entrepreneur Mr Fernandes at the end of June by a consortium of Swiss and Middle Eastern businessmen, since when the organisation has been forced to deal with numerous difficulties.

Already facing an unlawful dismissal suit by a group of more than 30 staff axed over the summer, on Monday the company which designs and builds cars for the team - Caterham Sports Limited - was placed in administration.

Crucially, however, the consortium yesterday claimed AirAsia and Queen's Park Rangers Football Club owner Mr Fernandes, along with two other former owners of the F1 team, failed to act in good faith with regard to the transfer of shares of ownership.

In essence, the consortium has been running Caterham over the past few months without being the legal owners.

Given the countless issues, they have decided to withdraw all management from the team and effectively told Mr Fernandes he is again in charge.

About 200 people work for Caterham Sports at the Leafield factory.

Until yesterday, Caterham F1 had been preparing as normal for the final three grands prix of the season in the US, Brazil and Abu Dhabi.

But without management, and with Mr Fernandes unlikely to step back in at such short notice, the team faces the prospect of its season being brought to a premature end, or even folding altogether.

In a strongly-worded statement, the consortium said it is to take all legal recourse against Fernandes and other parties.

The statement read: "On 29 June 2014, Caterham Enterprises Ltd, Caterham (UK) Ltd and Sheikh Mohamed Nasarudin (seller) and their shareholders Tony Fernandes and Datuk Kamarudin Bin Meranun entered into a Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) with Engavest SA (Buyer) with regards to 1Malaysia Racing Team Sdn Bhd/Caterham F1 Team.

"Since the date of the agreement, the seller has refused to comply with its legal obligations to transfer their shares to the buyer.

"The buyer has been left in the invidious position of funding the team without having legal title to the team it had bought.

"This is in total contradiction to the seller's press release of 3 October 2014 which stated that Mr Fernandes and his Caterham Group had no longer any connection with the Caterham F1 team.

"The administrators of Caterham Sports Limited have been appointed on behalf of Export-Import Bank of Malaysia Berhad (Exim), a creditor of Mr Fernandes and the Caterham Group. The buyer has no connection with Exim.

"Caterham Sports Ltd was a supplier company to the Caterham F1 team.

"Very regrettably, the administrators' appointment has had devastating effects on the F1 team's activities.

"Since their appointment, the administrators have released various press statements which have been severely detrimental to the management of the Caterham F1 team.

"After three months of operating the Caterham F1 team in good faith, the buyer is now forced to explore all its options including the withdrawal of its management team.

"Lawyers have been instructed by the buyer to bring all necessary claims against all parties, including Mr Fernandes who, as an owner, will run the F1 operation."

Team principal Manfredi Ravetto has confirmed he has been forced to step back from managing the team, as well as insisting Fernandes remains the owner.

Mr Fernandes was unavailable for comment.

However, via his Twitter feed, he hinted he had yet to be paid for Caterham by the consortium.

After retweeting a question from a follower - "I wonder what @tonyfernandes has to say.... Could it be he hasn't received payment from the Swiss/Middle Eastern investors? #F1" - he then posted: "If you buy something you should pay for it. Quite simple."

But in a statement issued today, the buyers, Engavest SA, reiterated their position.

It read: "On 29 June 2014 Engavest SA signed a Sale and Purchase Agreement with Tony Fernandes and the Caterham Group to acquire the shares of 1Malaysia Racing Team/Caterham F1.

"Engavest SA has fulfilled all the conditions precedent, including paying the purchase price for the shares.

"The shares have not been transferred and therefore Mr Fernandes remains the owner of Caterham F1 and is fully responsible for all its activities."