1162 replies to this topic

[Sterzo]

The confusion here is that Colin Bennet is an engineer and team owner, as opposed to a racing driver. So if he signed for a team, it wasn't as a driver.

[Macca]

Was Dan Gurney meant to drive the Derrington-Francis-ATS at some point? He tested it but crashed it, damaging the team's only chassis enough to prevent it from making any further appearances in 1964.

I believe it was Bob Bondurant who crashed the ATS, taking the Curva Grande flat in testing when a half-shaft broke.

Gurney may have been at Monza that day, as Ford were testing GT40s which is why BB was there; but DSG was in the middle year of his time with Brabham so it would have made no sense for him to drive the ATS.

Paul M

[aportinga]

Did Alboreto choose to go to Tyrrell in 1989, or did Frank Williams finally rather Patrese stay at Williams ?
Because I have heard that Michele should have gone to Williams in 1989, but I never known why he did not.

Thanks

 

Yeah this.

 

Who would have gone to Tyrrell instead of Williams???

[Henri Greuter]

Yeah this.

 

Who would have gone to Tyrrell instead of Williams???

 

 

Maybe the commitment to `smoke brands` was a factor in this?

[WonderWoman61]

The confusion here is that Colin Bennet is an engineer and team owner, as opposed to a racing driver. So if he signed for a team, it wasn't as a driver.

Curse my penchant for taking things literally! It's in my nature unfortunately because I am on the Autism Spectrum.
Also, curse the questionable accuracy of translating Portuguese to English online, the bit about Fabrizio Giovanardi was true though but only with regards to testing the Life because it said so in an Autosport article from 1989.

Edited by WonderWoman61, 08 March 2024 - 23:34.

[WonderWoman61]

The fact that you say "both drivers" means you don't get it.  Only one of them is actually a driver.
 
However, I have a question for you, History Fan:  Are you also WonderWoman61?

Not the case.

[ensign14]

Heinz-Harald Frentzen claims Frank Williams offered him the Senna replacement role, at Monaco 1994.

 

Also that he managed to bork his own chances of joining McLaren for 1995...

[shawnybantzy]

For some kinda-F1-related "almost moves" : after Michele Alboreto was left in the lurch following his ditching from Ferrari in 1988, he was offered a drive with Sauber's WSC programme for the following year, but he opted to turn it down and instead embarked on his short-lived return with Tyrrell...
https://www.statsf1....88/espagne.aspx

Also, Canadian sportscar regular and racing school operator Jacques Couture was intended to run a 3rd works March for the 1970 Canadian GP but a lack of motors meant the team ran just Amon and Siffert instead :
https://second-a-lap...dian-grand.html

And finally, upon Jaguar's return to top-flight racing in Formula E for 2016/17, they considered a variety of British youngsters : Mike Conway, Oliver Rowland, Alex Lynn, Harry Tincknell and Sam Bird were evaluated, as well as some ex-F1 drivers like Anthony Davidson, Nick Heidfeld, Felipe Massa and even the GOAT himself, Pastor Maldonado!
https://www.motorspo...-938236/938236/
http://www.motorspor...-virgin-793408/
http://it.motorsport...o-senna-791089/
https://www.autospor...038134/5038134/
http://www.motorspor...ntinues-798080/

Also, IMO I think this topic and similar ones like these for other championships should be compiled into one single thread covering almost-moves (for drivers, cars, and teams alike) of various series, not just F1, to make things a little simpler.......

Edited by shawnybantzy, 29 January 2024 - 13:56.

[shawnybantzy]

Some new finds :

- Apparently sportscar racing regular Stanley Dickens was approached to replace Oscar Larrauri at the budding Eurobrun team for the final 2 races of the 1988 season, but he turned down the offer and the squad eventually stuck with the Argentine for the remainder of the year. From what I could find this below is the only source for this : so if anyone could help confirm this that would be of great help!

https://projetomotor...assificacao-f1/

- Tony Stewart's even wilder compatriot Robby Gordon was scheduled to make a test with Ligier at Estoril in late 1995, in part due to connections with team manager Tony Dowe -  it was mooted that this was a ploy to get Valvoline backing for 1996 in place of Elf, with Valvoline being Robby's sponsor in Indycar. However, the test was nixed as Gordon sustained a heavy practice shunt at the Indy round in Michigan.
https://www.grandpri...guese-test.html

- Then-reigning British F3 champion Robbie Kerr was in discussions with Williams regarding a potential testing role for 2003 - he'd also been searching for an F3000 gig, but both of these never came to pass. He would later find a ride in Formula Renault, before making A1GP and sportscars his home over the next few years.
https://www.autospor...061140/5061140/

[ensign14]

Prost in this month's Motor Sport remarks he was quite close to being Schumacher's no. 2 at Ferrari in 1996...I don't recall that rumour being in the air AT ALL.

[HistoryFan]

Prost in this month's Motor Sport remarks he was quite close to being Schumacher's no. 2 at Ferrari in 1996...I don't recall that rumour being in the air AT ALL.

it's an interesting one, we already talked about that in this thread.

[spa2000overtake]

Why Ferrari wanted Prost for 1996 after been out of the sport after 1993?
Maybe there were insecurity of 2 driver for Schumacher and of course Prost was ex Ferrari driver, Ferrari might have wanted an experience driver along Schumacher.
One year later Alain would formed hes own team.

Edited by spa2000overtake, 16 February 2024 - 22:25.

[WonderWoman61]

https://f1since81.wo...aco-grand-prix/

US-based Lola-Ford team for 1993? Maybe Carl Haas looking to resurrect his 1985-86 entry?

(Not sure if this is the right thread)