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John Barnard at Ferrari


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#1 Nikski

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Posted 14 April 2015 - 18:24

Hi - I'm writing about John Barnard. I'm ensconced in his first stint at Ferrari, (1986-89) and have found among his papers a complaint he penned to Autosport for an article they wrote in their edition of 1st December 1988, which has the makings of an interesting tale. I don't have that edition - does anyone else? 

 



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#2 Tim Murray

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Posted 14 April 2015 - 19:05

This would seem to be the item - I can't find anything else in that issue that he might have objected to:
 

Barnard's ultimatum
 
John Barnard has a deadline of Jan 10 to deliver his new version of the 1989 normally-aspirated Ferrari to Maranello, according to a leading Italian newspaper.

Our Italian correspondent, Pino Allievi, well-informed on affairs at Maranello, reports that the new Fiat-appointed head of Ferrari, Pier Giorgio Cappelli visited the Guildford Technical Office last week to talk to Barnard and see how the new car, described as the 'F1-89 Evoluzione', is progressing. The car is said to be profoundly modified from the first version which has been tested with little success at Fiorano.

The Jan 10 deadline is, apparently, extendable to Jan 15, but Cappelli has reportedly laid down another condition to Barnard continuing with Ferrari - he must work almost full time at Maranello once the car is completed.

Ferrari has reportedly approached Patrick Head's senior assistant at Williams, Argentine Enrico Scalabroni, with a specific offer to work on chassis development, but he has apparently declined the invitation.


There doesn't appear to be any follow-up to this item in the next couple of weeks, either by Autosport or from Barnard on the letters page.



#3 Nikski

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Posted 14 April 2015 - 19:34

wow, Tim, that was fast, thanks! Yes, that all makes sense - the document I have from John is a 'proposed statement' - on reflection, nothing in the record I have here to suggest he actually sent it. But it definitely upset him. Very sensitive times, back then, with all the doubt the paddleshifted Ferrari T640 had created at Maranello and throughout the Italian media. Much appreciated. 


Edited by Nikski, 14 April 2015 - 19:35.


#4 Nikski

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Posted 14 April 2015 - 19:48

I'm very keen, if possible, to acknowledge everyone who helps with this book. Would you like to establish private contact via email? Not sure of the form here.