While I was looking through an annual of the 1989 season this morning, it struck me how well Alboreto did with Tyrell at the start of the season. Then there was a disagreement with Ken at the time Camel sponsorship arrived, which I understood to be because Michele was a Marlboro driver, resulting in Alboreto's departure to the Larousse team. Then I saw a picture, taken near the end of the season, when the late Michele was sitting in the cockpit of a Larousse-Lamborghini with a Camel patch on his overalls! So what was the story there?
Michele Alboreto in 1989
Started by
Zawed
, Jul 09 2001 11:26
2 replies to this topic
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#2
Megatron
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Posted 09 July 2001 - 13:43
Albereto went to Marlboro to get more funds only to find out that since he was no longer in Formula One, he was a "Marlboro" driver.
So that was the end of his relationship with the company (who only paid his salary and were not a real sponsor on the Tyrrell car).
So that was the end of his relationship with the company (who only paid his salary and were not a real sponsor on the Tyrrell car).
#3
FLB
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Posted 09 July 2001 - 16:18
Camel wanted to push into F1 during the late 1980's. After losing Senna to Marlboro, they had a dreadful 1988 with Lotus. It wasn't improving. Tyrrell was looking godd in early 1989. Albo had finished on the podium in Mexico, his last in F1.
Part of the Camel program, exactly like Marlboro, was focused on young drivers. They sponsored Jordan in F3000 (and I think WSR in F3?). They were also Jacques Villeneuve's primary sponsor in Italian F3 in 1989.
Tyrrell smelled money. Because Lotus was looking so bad, Camel was a target. So, Uncle Ken approched them, and prosposed to take one of their drivers on. The eventual Euro F3000 Champion got the drive and made his debut at the French GP, opening the door to an F1 career that is still alive.
The irony is that Alesi had lost his ORECA drive after 1988 (and his personal Marlboro sponsorship). Philip Morris corrected that mistake for 1990.
Part of the Camel program, exactly like Marlboro, was focused on young drivers. They sponsored Jordan in F3000 (and I think WSR in F3?). They were also Jacques Villeneuve's primary sponsor in Italian F3 in 1989.
Tyrrell smelled money. Because Lotus was looking so bad, Camel was a target. So, Uncle Ken approched them, and prosposed to take one of their drivers on. The eventual Euro F3000 Champion got the drive and made his debut at the French GP, opening the door to an F1 career that is still alive.
The irony is that Alesi had lost his ORECA drive after 1988 (and his personal Marlboro sponsorship). Philip Morris corrected that mistake for 1990.
