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Was Stefan Bellof at the 1983 European GP with McLaren?


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#1 Jackmancer

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Posted 23 August 2015 - 07:12

I'm writing an article on Stefan Bellof and I can't understand why there is "WD" for Stefan Bellof, here:

 

 

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Link: https://en.wikipedia...i/McLaren_MP4/1

 

I know he tested with McLaren in 1983, together with Senna and Brundle, but what does this mean? Does it stand for Withdrawn? I can't find anything about this.



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#2 Michael Ferner

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Posted 23 August 2015 - 09:01

I think the question is rather whether he was entered or not. There were discussions and plans to run him in a third car with BOSS sponsorship, as I recall, but they fell through at an early stage, so I doubt he was actually entered. Another failed Maurer deal.

#3 Tim Murray

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Posted 23 August 2015 - 09:15

I agree with Michael, it never went beyond the discussion stage. In Autosport for 18th August 1983 the following appeared:
 

German sources suggest that Stefan Bellof may make his Formula 1 debut in a works McLaren Cosworth at the European Grand Prix next month.

The same sources believe that there is a possibility of Bellof’s joining the factory team as Niki Lauda’s team mate in 1984. The young German does, of course, have a Porsche contract – and Porsche build the TAG turbo engines ...


The following week’s issue contained this item:
 

Stefan Bellof had a good chuckle over the rumours in last week’s magazine that he might drive a third McLaren at the Brands European Grand Prix.

“I think it would be difficult as I am a Rothmans sponsored driver, and they are backed by Marlboro,” said Bellof, who nevertheless didn’t deny that McLaren was one of the many teams that he had spoken to during the course of the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim.

“Sure, I spoke with a lot of teams there, but I honestly think it will be very difficult even for Jonathan Palmer to get a drive next year, let alone me.”

 

There’s no further suggestion in Autosport of Bellof driving a McLaren in the race, and he wasn’t listed on the entry list. There were, though, several further rumours linking him to the second McLaren seat for 1984, and he did, as you say, test for McLaren in 1983 in the famous Brundle – Senna – Bellof test session


Edited by Tim Murray, 23 August 2015 - 09:20.


#4 Jackmancer

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Posted 23 August 2015 - 11:57

Wow, that's amazing. That explains the 'WD'. It doesn't show up on other Wiki pages. Thanks guys!



#5 D-Type

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Posted 23 August 2015 - 18:44

Another example of "Don't trust Wikipedia implicitly"



#6 Jackmancer

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Posted 25 August 2015 - 19:38

Thanks guys! This is what prevented Bellof from racing, it seems:

but the Rothmans veto, and the sudden availability of Alain Prost undid chances of a seat with the team.