A SUSSEX pub has sponsored a Formula One team as part of a campaign to keep the racing outfit on the grid.

The Windmill Inn’s logo will be put on the Caterham F1 Team cars as they return to the track this weekend for the season’s finale in Abu Dhabi.

The team missed the last two races after it went into administration.

The pub took out a sponsorship package with the team, which will mean its branding will be on both cars and in the pit garages, as part of a crowdfunding campaign to get the Oxfordshire-based outfit racing again.

The cash-strapped team appeared to be on their way out of the sport last month, following on the heels of competitor Marussia.

A target of £2.35million was set to get the cars to Abu Dhabi and give them time to find a buyer to take them into next season.

Charles New, owner of The Windmill Inn in Littleworth, near Horsham, said it was a “once in a lifetime opportunity”.

He said: “Seeing the team struggling to go on, when they started crowdfunding we were interested in getting involved.

“It is a good chatting point for the locals and we are happy to be supporting the team as they try to carry on into next season.

“We know the logo is going to be on there but we do not know where. They said they are going to provide a blown up photo of it to put in the pub. A lot of people are going to be very excited.”

Mr New bought and refurbished the pub at the beginning of the year, saving the local from closure.

He said they would be showing this weekend’s double-points title decider in the pub and were looking forward to see who could spot their logo.

The race is due to see the climax of a season-long duel for the world championship between Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, the Briton currently leading by 17 points.

Caterham will race with Kamui Kobayashi alongside a currently unannounced teammate.