Retro Silly Season

[S griffin]

Nicola Larini was going to be the second driver for the Bravo team alongside Jordi Gene for 93

[chillibowl]

wow Bravo F1...i think i only know of them as a team mentioned with other almost but never happened F1 teams.

looks like i have some reading to do this afternoon.

[Theunser]

I've got a chart of test drivers from 1987 to 2006, and it says Roberto Moreno tested the Bravo car(I didn't know it existed)

The chart:
https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/vi...vers-1987-2006

[chillibowl]

Originally Posted by Theunser

I've got a chart of test drivers from 1987 to 2006, and it says Roberto Moreno tested the Bravo car(I didn't know it existed)

The chart:
https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/vi...vers-1987-2006

well that is massively impressive!!!

[S griffin]

Wow indeed. Will have to find time to look at that chart

[Theunser]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Wow indeed. Will have to find time to look at that chart

There are some quite interesting things in it

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by Theunser

I've got a chart of test drivers from 1987 to 2006, and it says Roberto Moreno tested the Bravo car(I didn't know it existed)

The chart:
https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/vi...vers-1987-2006

He did but when it was called Andrea Moda!

[Skam85]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Nothing wrong with this thread, I trust the knowledge. Quite a lot of them I had heard before too

Yeah, the criticisms are too nitpicky for my liking.

It's an enjoyable read. No need for a full investigative journalistic piece on every piece of info.

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by Theunser

There are some quite interesting things in it

It is, although it's not 100% accurate. But it is still a good bit of info

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by S griffin

It is, although it's not 100% accurate. But it is still a good bit of info

What information is wrong on the chart?

[S griffin]

Maybe need to recheck the F1 records and you’ll see

[S griffin]

Like there’s some cases of drivers racing for a team when they didn’t. Like it underlines Chaves as racing in 1990 I think, when he actually raced, well tried to pre qualify in 1991

[Theunser]

Ken Tyrrell had an interview on british drivers in 1992.
He said that Coulthard's managers wanted him to take on DC as a test driver and also that he is keeping an eye on Allan McNish and especially Mark Blundell.
'I would have been interested in taking on Blundell because here is an example of the talent we have in Britain. He is a driver I rate.'

More details in the article:
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...t-1550239.html

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Theunser

Ken Tyrrell had an interview on british drivers in 1992.
He said that Coulthard's managers wanted him to take on DC as a test driver and also that he is keeping an eye on Allan McNish and especially Mark Blundell.
'I would have been interested in taking on Blundell because here is an example of the talent we have in Britain. He is a driver I rate.'

More details in the article:
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...t-1550239.html

Interesting that the headline still rings so true:
Money talks louder than talent

[Theunser]

Giorgio Pantano was close to a deal with Jaguar, until Red Bull pushed Klien into the seat alongside Mark Webber.
"Pantano had been all set to make his Formula One debut for Jaguar, however two days before he was due to sign with the squad they concluded a deal with Christian Klien, who was able to bring $10million of funding from Red Bull."

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giorgio_Pantano

"It is a little known fact that Giorgio Pantano was heavily in negotiation with Jaguar Racing before the drive went to Christian Klien."

https://www.grandprix.com/news/panta...o-minardi.html

[crmalcolm]

Interesting times. First they funded a driver in the team, then went on to buy the team outright.

[S griffin]

And he could have ended up at Minardi, as could have Kovalainen and Pechito

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by S griffin

And he could have ended up at Minardi, as could have Kovalainen and Pechito

Klien or Pantano?

Minardi were often one of the leading teams at testimg our drivers with the biggest and fastest wallet.

[S griffin]

Pantano

[Skam85]

Pantano was a strange case.

Rubbish in 2004 but then showed his talent after he was dropped from F1. Did he deserve a second shot? Maybe.

[S griffin]

Problem is only 10 teams on the grid when he won the title, and 2008-09 we only saw 2 driver changes(Vettel replaces the retiring DC at RBR and Buemi takes Vettel's place at STR, although Senna came close to getting the Brawn drive in place of Rubinho). So Pantano was left to do some Megane racing. A season later when the new teams came in, it might have been a different story

[S griffin]

Giovanni Aloi was originally gonna drive for the GLAS team in 91, which later became Modena-Lamborghini

[chunterer]

Originally Posted by S griffin

Giovanni Aloi was originally gonna drive for the GLAS team in 91, which later became Modena-Lamborghini

Indeed! I recall his part F3000 season with GA the previous year was supported by the same sponsor/s that was supposed to fund the Lambo effort?
I do wonder if the real reason he withdrew from 3000 was because the money wasn't there in the first place!

I thought Apicella was going to get one of the drives but they signed EvdP instead alongside Larini. Suspect Eric brought a bit of much needed sponsorship from Leaseplan!

[uesugi kenshin]

Any rumours involving Mexican drug cartels ?

[S griffin]

Originally Posted by chunterer

Indeed! I recall his part F3000 season with GA the previous year was supported by the same sponsor/s that was supposed to fund the Lambo effort?
I do wonder if the real reason he withdrew from 3000 was because the money wasn't there in the first place!

I thought Apicella was going to get one of the drives but they signed EvdP instead alongside Larini. Suspect Eric brought a bit of much needed sponsorship from Leaseplan!

I think your favourite Marco ended up as test or reserve driver in the end