13 replies to this topic

[Ralliart]

There was an article in Motor Sport on Stefan Bellof in which it was mentioned that he was destined for Ferrari in '86. In re-reading Enzo Ferrari's autobiography, "Piloti, che gente...", which came out in '85-'86, the other night, I came across this, as he assessed many drivers:
"Speaking of being resolute, Bellof was extremely so. I had considered using him, but weighed the dificulties in controlling his combativeness and decided not to." So, maybe, it was not a sure thing that Bellof'd go to Ferrari to race F1 in '86 after all.

[gdecarli]

According to Austrian GP report on Autosprint (# 34/1985 page 19), at Österreichring (August 18th) Johansson surely would have gone away and he would have been replaced by Andrea De Cesaris, Rick Mears or some other American drivers, in order to develop F.Cart car. There is also a little possibilitt for Ayrton Senna

According to Dutch GP report on Autosprint (# 35/1985 page 23), only one week later, Johansson was confirmed because there are not big drivers available.

Stefan Bellof died on week later, on September 1st, and Johansson was officially confirmed after Italy GP, a couple of weeks later.

Ciao,
Guido

[Muzza]

Stefan Bellof was my childhood hero (unnecessary to say: just look at my helmet - Bellof's casco was the departing point for the development of its livery) and for years I fancied these stories that he was on the verge of signing a big Formula 1 contract when he died. Maybe the bittersweetness of the fact - assuming it was a fact - caused a certain lasting impact on me then, as I was more impressionable.

However, I have never seen any evidence or concrete indication that a major Formula 1 team had signed Bellof up for 1986 (or was about to do it).

I recall that when Ferrari gave the boot to Arnoux and replaced him with Stefan Johansson someone in the Formula 1 circle (Keke Rosberg?) said they "had signed the wrong Stefan" (referring to Bellof), but that was all...

I am most interested in learning on this subject.

On the tenth anniversary of Bellof's death DSF (Deutsches Sports Fernsehen, a German sports channel) made a special report on him, including interviews with his girlfriend, but my German was (and still is) poor and I could just get part of it - and no remark about a "big 1986 Formula 1 contract".


Muzza

[Hugo Boecker]

I think Stefan had a 3 year contract , like Brundle, with Tyrell. Uncle Ken was ever interested in long term contracts with new boys. For example Alboreto 81,82,83 Brundle 84,85,86 Palmer 87,88,89 and with Alesi Ken even made 3 1/2 year contract and earned a lot of money from Ferrari. I think Stefan was a hot candidate for the 1987 Scuderia and there were some agreements but I don't think there was a contract. This couldn't kept secret with the german media. Germany's first World Champion (endurance) in the great Trips' footsteps with Scuderia Ferrari. Never unnoticed.

so long

Hugo Boecker

[Vitesse2]

Ken Tyrrell, in a magazine interview a few weeks after Bellof was killed, quoted in Maurice Hamilton's biography:

".... when we sign a driver straight from F3 or F2, we always put them on a three-year contract with an option to renew at the end of each year. So we have the option to get out at the end of each year. Then, once his three-year term is over, it would be unreasonable to sign him for a longer period."

I read that as saying that the team had the option to terminate the contract at the end of each year, but unless that happened, the driver had no "get-out clause" until the end of the third year, when the contract could then be extended year-by-year by mutual consent. So, by that interpretation, Bellof would have been at Tyrrell at least until the end of 1986.

[Twin Window]

Strangely enough - this very night - I took a bound copy of Autosprint and (whilst I don't speak or read Italian) I get the impression that there was a 'Cevert to Ferrari' rumour gaining weight during the latter part of '71...

TW

[Ralliart]

I've never heard/read about Cevert going to Ferrari, maybe, in '71 but I believe they might have been a possibility in '74 except that Cevert got, apparently, Tyrrell's word that he'd be paid around what Stewart was getting. Going to Ferrari in '74 might have been leverage, or a distinct possibility, and have made sense but in '71, with Ickx, Regazzoni and Andretti (sometimes) aboard, it wouldn't. Or would it?

[Vitesse2]

Cevert was certainly approached by Lotus for 1974, but if his contract with Tyrrell was as I posted above, then he wouldn't have been a free agent at the end of 1971. Stewart advised him to stay at Tyrrell for 1974, but of course wasn't able to tell him he would be team leader

Perhaps someone at Autosprint had been overdoing the Grappa ....

[Megatron]

I think Cevert and Bellof were both future WDCs. Tragedy took them out of the running of a prize they could have certainly had.

Two of my all time favorites, and two of the saddest. I try and remember the good times but the bad ones are brought up so frequently it is easy to forget.

I think Bellof would have stayed at Tyrrell. A certain Finish driver missed out on a Ferrari seat a decade later because Ken stuck to his guns and Eddie Irvine got it.

[Arjan de Roos]

On Bellof going to Ferrari: I do remember that in 1986 (winter time) there were indeed signals Ferrari had been going for him and get him into the Scuderia for 1986. Not only german press but also in one of the Berger books as a quote from Gerhard himself. Have to look it up though..

[gdecarli]

Originally posted by Arjan de Roos
On Bellof going to Ferrari: I do remember that in 1986 (winter time)

Do you mean 1985? He died on September 1st 1985...
IIRC, in winter 1984-1985 Ferrari was looking for a third driver (Dumfries was choosen) and there were rumors Arnoux exit, even if already confirmed. Were Bellof rumors in that period?

Ciao,
Guido

[Arjan de Roos]

Sorry for not being so clear: In the winter it was claimed in german press that during early 1985 and summer Ferrari had looked upon Bellof as an option to drive from start 1986, but that after his accident Berger came in focus.

[FLB]

Originally posted by Vitesse2
Cevert was certainly approached by Lotus for 1974, but if his contract with Tyrrell was as I posted above, then he wouldn't have been a free agent at the end of 1971. Stewart advised him to stay at Tyrrell for 1974, but of course wasn't able to tell him he would be team leader

Perhaps someone at Autosprint had been overdoing the Grappa ....

In La mort dans mon contrat, Jean-Claude Hallé confirms that Cevert was indeed approched by Ferrari for 1974. Ferrari judged him to be one of the main reasons why Matra beat the Scuderia in the 1973 World Championship for Makes (sportscars). He reckoned Cevert was simply quicker than his drivers, including Ickx.

[Vitesse2]

Originally posted by FLB


In La mort dans mon contrat, Jean-Claude Hallé confirms that Cevert was indeed approched by Ferrari for 1974. Ferrari judged him to be one of the main reasons why Matra beat the Scuderia in the 1973 World Championship for Makes (sportscars). He reckoned Cevert was simply quicker than his drivers, including Ickx.

Indeed. Cevert was hot property by mid-1973 and was on most teams' wish-lists, though probably only Lotus, Ferrari and McLaren could have afforded him.

But the original query was based on him possibly driving for Ferrari in 1972 Therefore my point about his contract still stands: he was effectively tied to Tyrrell at least until the end of 1972, having presumably originally signed some time in 1970.