While the list of drivers that entered, at least one Grand Prix during the last 74 years is long. There is also the group of drivers that were to appear on the grid however for whatever reason never appeared on the grid or had their contract terminated like Jos Verstappen with Arrows for 2002. I took the time to dive recently into my physical and digital archive to uncover some of those drivers that for whatever reason didn’t race while they would. This is by the way not some “wannabe” drivers list. Plenty of drivers that stated they would race. Though, never came close to sign a deal with a team.
Jos Verstappen – 2002 Arrows – 2004 Jaguar – 2004 Jordan
Jos Verstappen, yes the father of Max, was active in the Formula One from 1994 until 2003. He competed for Benetton, Arrows (Footwork), Tyrrell, Stewart and Minardi. However, in 2002 and 2004 he was to race as well. 1999 can’t be included in this list when he tested for Honda, while a “deal” seemed to have been made it was only testing and Honda eventually ditched their F1 team dream.
Jos, after racing for Arrows (Footwork) in 1996 returned to the team in 2000. Perhaps 2000 was his best season in the Formula One. The Arrows A21 was competitive and who doesn’t remember Canada 2000? In 2001, with the Arrows A22, he only managed to score one point. However, the Arrows A23 for 2002 was built around Jos Verstappen and 2002 could be a competitive year for the team. Eventually, Jos Verstappen was sacked and his contract was terminated for 20002. Heinz-Harald Frentzen would eventually race for the team in 2002. Tom Walkinshaw, who had to pay Jos eventually, stated in early 2002 that he was not happy with Verstappen his results on the track.
The first cracks with the Minardi team appeared during the 2003 Italian Grand Prix. While the team from Faenza was keen to keep Verstappen for 2004, Huub Rothengatter was on speaking terms with Jaguar Racing for a seat in 2004. He would partner Mark Webber who would stay as Jaguar’s driver in 2004. In October 2003, as written about previously, a concept contract was send to Verstappen’s management. It is said that Verstappen had to bring in eight million dollar. While his sponsors were keen to help, their demands were that Jos would get the same updates and engine as Webber would have. Eventually
After the deal with Jaguar did not happen the focus was lay on the Jordan Grand Prix team for a seat in 2004. Already in 1999, Jos was in the scope to race for the team as Damon Hill was to retire mid-season from Formula One. Michel Peridon from Trust and Huub Vermeulen visited Eddie Jordan a couple of times in early January 2004 to discuss a contract for 2004. Jos was even invited by Eddie Jordan to visit the factory and see the development of the EJ14. While the Trust stickers would appear on the EJ14, there was no Jos Verstappen in the car. While a contract was “underway” in late January 2004.
Tom Coronel – 2001 Prost Grand Prix
This might be a new one for you. Last year I was writing a story about Tom Coronel and his contract with Minardi for 2004. When I asked him on Twitter about his options for 2001, he stated that he was close to race for Prost Grand Prix in 2001. Little information is known, like there is almost zero information about the Scuderia Italia 1994 car. What I’m trying to say while it seems strange as there is almost no information. There is always a possibility. There is only little information known about Tom’s contact with Prost. I did find a small statement that Tom was linked to Prost, besides his own reaction, though that’s everything.
Giedo van der Garde – 2015 Sauber
After a disappointing year in 2013 with Caterham van de Garde signs a test contract with Sauber in 2014. With the option to race for the team in 2015. Monisha Kaltenborn was at that time team principal and made some “interesting” moves at that time. Already in July 2014, according to Giedo, the deal was signed to race for the team in 2015. Interestingly, at that point the team chosen to keep it quiet and don’t communicate it. Then in November Marcus Ericsson is announced as one of the drivers for 2015. Only days later Felipe Nasr is announced as well to race for Sauber in 2015.
Days before the start of the new season, van der Garde and his management dared Sauber at the Supreme Court of Victoria. The reason, he had a contract for 2015 with the team to race for them. It seems that previously a courtyard in Switzerland already approved van der Garde’s contract with the team. The 9th of March 2015 Giedo and Sauber appear at the courtyard in Melbourne, the 11th of March they concluded that Sauber signed a contract with Giedo and that he has to race in Melbourne.
It even escalates two days prior the Grand Prix weekend as van der Garde again launches an case at the courtyard. Sauber ignores the judgement. Therefore, the management of van der Garde stated that Kaltenborn should be arrested and equipment should be confiscated from the team. Eventually Sauber pays Giedo millions.
Luiz Razia – Marussia 2013
Brazilian driver Luiz Razia appeared for the first time in the Formula One in 2010 when he signed a contract to be Virgin Racing’s test driver that year. In 2011 he was hired by Team Lotus for the reserve and test driver role. In 2012, he tested a couple of times with Force India and seemed to be a candidate to race for the team in 2013. However, for 2013 it seemed he would return to his old team now named Marussia. The 6th of February 2013 the announcement came that Razia signed a contract. He would become Max Chilton’s teammate. That same day Razia tested with the MR02 at Jerez.
Only weeks later it seemed that his debut in the Formula One was in tatters. While the contract was signed he did not test with the MR02 at Barcelona in late February. Rumours stated that Jules Bianchi and Narian Kartikeyan were in the scope now to become one of the drivers. Eventually it became clear that the payments were delayed and the team questioned if Razia had the money. Eventually, Razia would not appear on the grid for Marussia. Jules Bianchi did.
