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CART/Indycar drivers and F1

Started by ebn101 , Nov 01 2008 10:02

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#1 ebn101

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 10:02

I was thinking of creating a list of all the indycar drivers that have either made it to F1 or have tested.

I'll start with-

Michael Andretti
Juan Pablo Montoya
Sebastien Bourdais
Bryan Herta- had a test with Minardi in 2001

More additions needed!

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#2 Ross Stonefeld

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 10:14

It's going to be hard to define, because some of those drivers had shorter Indy-style careers than the European portion of their CV. For instance Montoya was always on his way to F1, he was just stopping over in CART and only did two seasons. Does he represent them? To me, no.

Do we count Zanardi who had done F1 before hand? Probably not. Should we then count Bourdais after he tested and was offered a drive with Arrows in 2002, but the team went under and he had to take Champ Car as a back up? What about Williams test driver Bruno Junqueira who only just lost out on the race drive to Jenson Button.

#3 f1steveuk

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 10:14

Rick Mears, Brabham BT49, and I think some bloke called Mario Andretti as well!

De Matta never really got a good go at F1 either............

#4 Gary C

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 10:31

Paul Tracy tested a Benetton.

#5 RA Historian

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 11:56

Troy Ruttman drove in the 1958 French GP. Bobby Unser drove in the 1968 USGP. Lloyd Ruby drove in a couple, as well as Rodger Ward.

I seem to recall that sometime in the 80s Al Unser Jr had a test with someone.

Tom

#6 Formula Once

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 12:01

Al Unser Jr. tested a Benetton in 1994.

#7 Formula Once

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 12:06

Some of the people who first did F1, then went to IndyCars and would do F1 again:

Jan Lammers
Nigel Mansell
Alex Zanardi
Bruno Giacomelli
Roberto Moreno
Tarso Marques

#8 B Squared

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 12:17

I believe Al Unser Jr. had a Williams test. Sir Frank loathed his cigarette smoking. 1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve had a reasonable run in IndyCar in that he was its 1995 Champion & also had a Indy 500 win to throw into the lot also. I think Dan Gurney could also be considered. This will have an ongoing list of additions, these are off the top of the head.

Brian

#9 B Squared

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 12:20

Walt Hansgen, Mark Donohue, Peter Revson

#10 Rob

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 12:21

Originally posted by B Squared
I believe Al Unser Jr. had a Williams test.


That's what I thought. I believe it was at a similar time to Tracy's Benetton test.

#11 B Squared

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 12:24

The first American Grand Prix winner & Indy legend, Jimmy Murphy. Peter DePaolo. Ralph DePalma.

#12 Bloggsworth

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 12:27

Katherine Legge tested a Minardi and was quick...............

#13 HistoryFan

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 12:31

Timo Glock
Christian Danner
Gaston Mazzacane
Toranosuke Takagi

André Lotterer tested a Jaguar F1 car in 2001 and 2002

#14 B Squared

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 12:32

Eddie Cheever, Danny Sullivan, George Follmer, Danny Ongais

#15 Rob

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 12:33

Originally posted by Bloggsworth
Katherine Legge tested a Minardi and was quick...............


Off the top of my head,

Sarah Fisher tested a McLaren. Franchitti tested a Jaguar. Marco Andretti has tested a Honda.

#16 Formula Once

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 12:34

Yes Unser tested for Williams of course, sorry.

#17 HistoryFan

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 12:38

Originally posted by Rob


Off the top of my head,

Sarah Fisher tested a McLaren. Franchitti tested a Jaguar. Marco Andretti has tested a Honda.


Franchitti also tested a McLaren and I think a Footwork in the mid 90s.
Gil de Ferran tested also for Footwork in 1993.
Senna tested a Penske IndyCar in 1993.
Scott Dixon had 2 tests with Williams in 2004.

#18 ralt12

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 13:46

Nelson Piquet, Sr

#19 ralt12

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 13:48

Townsend Bell tested for Honda, as well.

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#20 f1steveuk

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 14:10

Originally posted by Rob


Off the top of my head,

Sarah Fisher tested a McLaren.


Really? Not the run at Indy surely, that was no test, did she drive one again at some stage?

#21 Andretti Fan

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 14:28

Didn't Tony Kanaan test a Honda last year? I know he had a one off drive in the Japanese F3000 series.

I think we'll find a large number of drivers who have done both Championship cars and F1 over the years, especially if you include those who have only tested but not raced. And of course the early years of the World Drivers Championship included the Indy 500 as well. so you have all those drivers to consider.

#22 HistoryFan

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 14:38

Kanaan tested for Honda in 2005.

#23 MoMurray

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 14:48

Derek Daly.

#24 ebn101

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 14:49

Mario Dominguez tested a Jordan at Silverstone in 2005.

#25 Rob

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 17:32

Originally posted by HistoryFan
Franchitti also tested a McLaren and I think a Footwork in the mid 90s.


I forgot about the McLaren test! That was his prize for winning the McLaren Autosport BRDC award, was a feature on it in Autosport this week (p. 38-41). Didn't realise he'd tested an Arrows as well.

#26 Rob

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 17:32

Originally posted by f1steveuk


Really? Not the run at Indy surely, that was no test, did she drive one again at some stage?


You might be right, it's possible my mind is playing tricks on me.

#27 Geza Sury

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 17:53

Originally posted by Bloggsworth
Katherine Legge tested a Minardi and was quick...............

...and then crashed the car. BTW the test was Minardi's very last appearance. IIRC it took place at Valleluga in October or Novermber 2005.

#28 Richard Jenkins

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 18:36

Originally posted by ebn101
I was thinking of creating a list of all the indycar drivers that have either made it to F1 or have tested.


Well, it's been done before, but if you exclude the World Championship drivers & if you are presuming that by "Indycar" you mean CART & IRL (post 1980) - a lot of if's here quite frankly, then:

(*NB* There are a lot of test drivers missing - I don't have the time to go through who might have tested etc)

Alboreto Michele
Andretti Mario
Andretti Michael
Barbazza Fabrizio
Bell Townsend
Bernoldi Enrique
Boesel Raul
Bourdais Sebastien
Brack Kenny
Briscoe Ryan
Cheever Eddie
Cogan Kevin
Crawford Jim
Daly Derek
de Ferran Gil
Enge Tomas
Fabi Teo
Fittipaldi Emerson
Fittipaldi Christian
Giacomelli Bruno
Grouillard Olivier
Guerrero Roberto
Gugelmin Mauricio
Herbert Johnny
Jani Neel
Johansson Stefan
Jones John
Junqueira Bruno
Keegan Rupert
Lammers Jan
Lotterer Andre
Mansell Nigel
Montoya Juan-Pablo
Moreno Roberto
Nakano Shinji
Ongais Danny
Papis Massimiliano
Piquet Nelson
Rahal Bobby
Rebaque Hector
Redon Laurent
Rodriguez Gonzalo
Salazar Eliseo
Scheckter Tomas
Sospiri Vincenzo
Sullivan Danny
Takagi Toranosuke
Tracy Paul
Villeneuve Jacques Sr.
Villeneuve Jacques
Wilson Justin
Wilson Rob
Wilson Desire

#29 TheStranger

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 22:39

Wasn't Mark Blundell a test driver at some point in F1?

Alan Jones did a one-off subbing for Mario at Road America in 1985 (Jones was at the Lola-Haas Beatrice team, while Mario drove for Newman/Haas in Beatrice colors in Champcar that year, and nearly won Indy) IIRC

I think Andrea Montermini's name comes to mind for some reason too...

#30 wewantourdarbyback

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Posted 01 November 2008 - 23:12

Originally posted by TheStranger
Wasn't Mark Blundell a test driver at some point in F1?
.


Not to mention the seasons he raced

#31 B Squared

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Posted 02 November 2008 - 00:24

I know he's NASCAR, but Jeff Gordon was impressive enough to deserve mention. Plus, I don't think we'll get lead too far off path with a whole slew of NASCAR drivers who have done a test in F1. I've never understood how he couldn't get ANY IndyCar test. If I remember right he, for all practical purposes, pleaded for a chance, before going to Busch with Bill Davis racing & Ford.

Richie - Nice list!

Brian

#32 weisler

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Posted 02 November 2008 - 00:28

I believe Bobby Rahal ran the Canadian and US GP at The Glen in a Wolf, 1978.

#33 RA Historian

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Posted 02 November 2008 - 01:15

Originally posted by B Squared
1997 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve had a reasonable run in IndyCar in that he was its 1995 Champion & also had a Indy 500 win to throw into the lot also. Brian

Yes, I think that you could say that..........
Tom

#34 Gerr

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Posted 02 November 2008 - 01:29

Originally posted by B Squared
I know he's NASCAR, but Jeff Gordon was impressive enough to deserve mention. Plus, I don't think we'll get lead too far off path with a whole slew of NASCAR drivers who have done a test in F1. I've never understood how he couldn't get ANY IndyCar test. If I remember right he, for all practical purposes, pleaded for a chance, before going to Busch with Bill Davis racing & Ford.

Richie - Nice list!

Brian


Jeff Gordon's CART/F1 story is related by Linda Conti in this thread at Trackforum....

http://www.trackforu...ght=jeff gordon

#35 B Squared

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Posted 02 November 2008 - 01:32

RA Historian - A bit tongue in cheek, in regards to JV. He doesn't seem to get alot of respect these days. His later year fall from, seemingly, everyones graces was tough for me to watch. Most self induced with team choice decisions. I cared about his dad alot, and met Jacques in 1993, ever so briefly, at Milwaukee in his first year of Atlantics. He was on pole. Got taken out in front of my turn four observers station while lapping traffic. Few of my friends or colleagues knew of "Gilles son" racing. I'd been following his career and was thrilled to see him as a part of the CART series ater Italian F3 and Japan. His early F1 career was stunning. I wish todays IndyCar was appealing to him. Please forgive me for my tone.

Brian

#36 Jim Thurman

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Posted 02 November 2008 - 01:45

Originally posted by Gerr


Jeff Gordon's CART/F1 story is related by Linda Conti in this thread at Trackforum....

http://www.trackforu...ght=jeff gordon


Well, her version of the story. Take it with a major grain of salt.

Considering the tone and manner of some on that forum, I was reluctant to call out the discrepancies and questionable parts.

The "stories" (folklore is more like it) surrounding Jeff Gordon's rise and the realities are vastly different (though his stepfather's stories change like the wind, not just over the years but consistently).

Do some checking here Brian, and you'll find some posts discussing the alleged incident. An incident which no one has ever proven actually occurred.

#37 B Squared

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Posted 02 November 2008 - 01:59

Gerr & Mr. Thurman, Thank you for your Gordon input, I'll follow up on both suggestions.

Brian

#38 RA Historian

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Posted 02 November 2008 - 13:46

Originally posted by B Squared
RA Historian - A bit tongue in cheek, in regards to JV. Brian

I figured as much and was having a little fun myself in my response. I certainly agree with you about his rather precipitous fall from the top shelf into obscurity. His ill-advised step from Williams to BAR is akin to Emmo's move from McLaren to brother Wilson's team. A big difference, of course, is that Emmo was able to have a spectacularly successful rebirth a number of years later, while Jacques II has disappeared into the morass of mediocrity. Oh well, he still has his voice.... :rolleyes:
Tom

#39 bigears

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Posted 02 November 2008 - 18:31

What about Josele Garaza, I remember him testing a Minardi at Mexico City?

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#40 fan27

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Posted 03 November 2008 - 09:29

Minassian raced in Cart and tested for Williams + Honda

#41 stevewf1

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Posted 03 November 2008 - 10:49

Originally posted by B Squared
I believe Al Unser Jr. had a Williams test. Sir Frank loathed his cigarette smoking.


I remember reading a quote from Frank Williams basically saying that Al Jr was nearly on the pace... if he didn't smoke, he would have been right on the pace.

Uncle Bobby actually did make a Grand Prix start - 1968 Watkins Glen. Others who "dabbled" in F1 back then were Lloyd Ruby and Troy Ruttmann.

Edit: Forgot about Rodger Ward in a midget at the 1959 USGP at Sebring...

#42 RA Historian

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Posted 03 November 2008 - 13:35

Originally posted by B Squared
I believe Al Unser Jr. had a Williams test. Sir Frank loathed his cigarette smoking. Brian

And then there was Keke! I assume that Sir Frank and Keke had an uneasy truce.... :|

#43 Project Indy

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Posted 09 November 2008 - 18:16

Originally posted by bigears
What about Josele Garaza, I remember him testing a Minardi at Mexico City?


Josele tested a Brabham in Mexico City, Hnos. Rodriguez Circuit in 1987.
Posted Image

Josele in Minardi, Monza, 1988 in a preclalification.
Posted Image

#44 stevewf1

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Posted 09 November 2008 - 18:25

Originally posted by Project Indy
Josele in Minardi, Monza, 1988 in a preclalification.
Posted Image


Testing perhaps? I can't find any reference to Garza ever being entered in a Grand Prix...

#45 bigears

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Posted 09 November 2008 - 18:44

It was only testing but when did the test session happen?

#46 Jim Thurman

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Posted 11 November 2008 - 22:34

Originally posted by B Squared
Gerr & Mr. Thurman, Thank you for your Gordon input, I'll follow up on both suggestions.

Brian, please...just call me Jim. I can imagine what would happen if you called Buford "Mr." :D And besides, I believe we're roughly the same age (I may even be a bit younger than you).

I am able to link to this post/thread.

http://forums.autosp...ord#post1774257

The quotes refer to the late Earl Ma (theunions) bringing the incident up to me, apparently via e-mail. Earl had been around and talked with many people who were in the Cleveland paddock when this supposedly took place and not one of them witnessed anything like what has been described.

#47 cpbell

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Posted 14 November 2008 - 17:00

I'm sure I once read that Willy T Ribbs tested a Benetton at Estoril around the end of the '80s, but I can't think where I read it.

#48 MLC

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Posted 15 November 2008 - 02:22

Scott Pruett tested the Larousse Lola sometime during the '87/'88 winter.

#49 HistoryFan

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Posted 15 November 2008 - 12:54

Originally posted by cpbell
I'm sure I once read that Willy T Ribbs tested a Benetton at Estoril around the end of the '80s, but I can't think where I read it.


He tested a Brabham in the mid 80s I know.

#50 cpbell

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Posted 15 November 2008 - 12:57

Originally posted by HistoryFan


He tested a Brabham in the mid 80s I know.


That was it! Thanks for correcting my rusty memory! :lol:
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