Impossible in today’s Formula One was possible in the past of Formula One. There was a time that any time could test on any time he liked. To improve their cars, to give youngsters their first taste of Formula One, or simply to cash. Because testing was all about talent and money back in the days. Most of the drivers that tested are long forgotten or never arrived in the
Jos Verstappen drove in 2003 for the Minardi team, and if you ask me, he did a marvellous job with the PS03B. For 2004, he could even stay with the team according to Paul Stoddart. Only did Verstappen had other thoughts, as he did not want to race for a backmarker in 2004. There were a few options left Jordan, Sauber and Jaguar Racing. Let Jaguar Racing made an offer
It is February 2004 when suddenly in the Dutch media the news appears that Tom Coronel is close to sign a deal with the Minardi Team to be their third driver in 2004. Besides that, Tom would test for the team in the summer probably a Vallelunga or Misano with the Minardi PS04A. As well, he would be one of the drivers for the Minardi two-seaters program and do demonstration
Jos Verstappen had a contract to race for the Orange Arrows team from Tom Walkinshaw. However, just before the start of the season he ditched Verstappen, while the Arrows A23 was built around him, and hired Heinz-Harald Frentzen instead. In 2003, he signed a contract with Minardi. Not the season he expected. So what would it be for 2004? Jaguar, Jordan, perhaps Sauber or stay with Minardi? We know now
As there are over 650 Unraced F1 projects from the period 1885 – 2020 I decided before to publish articles of unraced projects per year. This is easier for you to see which attempts happened a specific year. Of course, it is easier for me as well as researching and writing an article takes a lot of time, which I don’t always have. If you are interested in one of
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
The best part of doing research on items is the information you receive and find you are not looking for. To my surprise I found out that back in 2003 already there was an attempt by the Chinese to enter the Formula one with a Chinese F1 team. At that time China was preparing for the first Grand Prix organized in the country. And how would you promote it better
"Guys, I'm coming in, I'm having too much grip!" the remarkable words once spoken by Chanoch Nissany. A couple of you will remember it; some will recognize the name Nissany because Williams signed Roy as their test driver for 2020. I bet that many of them out there don’t even know who Chanoch even is, and how he is related to the Formula One. As usual, I was instant a
Minardi is probably one of the few teams in the rich history of the Formula One with plenty of rumoured drivers to drive for the team. Even more rumoured are the takeovers of the Minardi F1 Team. As to quote Paul Stoddart in 2005 “Over 40 groups were interested in taking over Minardi”. Let’s uncover history and see the almost driver moves for Minardi. 1984 – Minardi M184 Debut with
Asiatech, trade name of Asia Motor Technologies France, was a company founded by Dr. John Gano and Enrique Scalabroni, which purchased the assets of the Peugeot Formula One programme at the end of the 2000 season. They would first appear as engine supplier for minor teams in the Formula One, with the intention to enter the Formula one with their own team in 2004 or 2005. However, the Asiatech A-001
