Where are the days in the Formula One, when shady team owners appeared on the grid? Mostly to burn their money in a team that would fail on forehand. It were those teams that brought the atmosphere and the vibes in the paddock. Well that is, if you ask me of course. One of these teams that I miss is Andrea Moda. The complete package makes it interesting. While I
Leyton House Racing appeared on the grid in 1990, it was of course the March F1 Team that re-appeared on the grid in 1987. Sponsored by Leyton House a Japanese real-estate company. Where 1990 eventually was a good season, 1991 began badly. Financial struggle, and eventually the arrest of Akira Akagi in September was the begin of the end for the team. However, it did not mean that the team
You can’t imagine it now though there were years in the Formula One there were plenty of test drivers per team. Or teams tested in between races to test new aerodynamics or new engines. Or just to cash extra money by letting unknown drivers, who will never arrive, experience the Formula 1.As many of these drivers are long forgotten, and there isn’t a real overview of the test drivers, its
2005 was the last year that privateers, the small teams, appeared on the grid. Minardi was the last team of an era were many tried their luck in the Formula One. Due the coming ban on turbo engines in 1989 and the restrictions, it was financially attractive for teams to try their luck. Most of them failed to even complete two season, some only did a few races before they
In early 1997, Alain Prost purchased the Ligier team from Flavio Briatore and even before the start of the season changed the name to Prost Grand Prix. For 1998, the team announced their exclusive contract with Peugeot to deliver them engines. For 1997 Prost Grand Prix drove with the planned Mugen-Honda engine and uses the JS45 designed by Loïc Bigois. However, did you know already in 1989 Alain Prost was
1992 was the year of Nigel Mansell after several years he became the world champion with Williams. Once a respected team, in 1992 Brabham was suffering from financial troubles and would disappear from the grid eventually, to gain attention they contracted Giovanna Amati, after Desire Wilson the first woman to enter a Grand Prix. Andrea Sassetti bought the folded Coloni team and made it’s debut with Andrea Moda Formula. Andrea
1989 seemed to be a perfect year for the small Italian team Osella Squadra Corse. Cosworth was supplying the team with engines, while Pirelli improved their qualifying and race tyres. Sadly, 1989 would prove to be the last year for the Osella team with Enzo Osella as team owner. At the end of the season the team was for sale, and believe it or not Piercarlo Ghinzani was interested to
In early 1991 the rumors appeared in the paddock that Reynard was working in secret on their own Formula One design. The plan was to enter the Formula One in 1992 with their own car. But what was true about the rumors? Well Adrian was working on their own design, and yes there are photo's of it, but did you know that this Reynard was the ancestor of two car
Sometimes you read an article in a magazine you just cannot believe it is true. One of these articles appeared in an Autosport issue in 1992. When a brand new Japanese Formula One team got announced. The team’s name was Trebron Racing Systems, named after Norbert Hamy the man behind the project. The Trebron team came with bright ideas, and seemed promising to appear on the grid. However, due a
I heard many people joking and complaining about the fact that Toro Rosso will have a fourth driver this season in their cars. After disappointing results from Daniil Kvyat, Pierre Gasly replaced him at Toro Rosso. Due the disappointing results of Jolyon Palmer he had to leave the Renault F1 Team, and Carlos Sainz took his seat. This meant an empty seat at Toro Rosso. Daniil Kvyat returned to the
