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.
José María López – 2010 US F1 Team
This might be one of the saddest story of a driver that was to race though never did. While being a development driver for Renault in 2004 and 2005 and their test driver in 2006 José María López would finally make his debut in the Formula One. The 21nd of November 2009 López and US F1 Team had an agreement to race for the team in 2010. He had to bring 8 million dollar of sponsor money, which shouldn’t be a problem. The US F1 Team was one of the four “new” teams that would appear on the grid in 2010. Besides then it was Campos (later HRT), Virgin Racing and Team Lotus. In typical American style and lots of bravado, the toaster team started their journey in the Formula One.
It wouldn’t take long before the first messages appeared in the media that USF1 was struggling. While the team was pronouncing everything went fine, it wasn’t. Somehow both Ken Anderson and Peter Windsor failed to bring the team to the grid, while both had years of experience in Motorsport. Sadly, for José his Formula One career would be over before it even started. It’s the 18th of February 2010 when USF1 tweets that their servers are down and are being repaired. It would be the last we heard of them. When I spoke with Peter Windsor, I couldn’t ask him about USF1. Therefore, the interest was gone from myside as well.
Taki Inoue – 1996 Scuderia Minardi
Taki the driver that gained the cult status due to his career in the Formula One. Most of you know him from the accidents he had in 1995 while racing for Footwork. Looking to continue his career in the Formula One and some Yen’s on his bank account he started to negotiate with Minardi. Eventually the contract was signed and Inoue appeared at the presentation for the Minardi M195B. Dressed in a Minardi racing next to Pedro Lamy. However, soon after the presentation it seemed that some of Taki’s sponsors pulled the plug and did not pay on time or not at all. On the grid at Albert Park is wat Giancarlo Fisichella who replaced Inoue.
Tom Kristensen – 1998 Scuderia Minardi
Kristensen became mister Le Mans due to his victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. However, he was close to debut for Minardi in 1998. He tested for the team in 1997 a couple of times with the M197. The team was impressed by his talent and know how. In 1997, he won for the first time the 24 Hours of Le Mans and went fast in the International F3000 Championship. Therefore, the Minardi team offered him a contract to compete several races in 1998. Kristensen wasn’t able to find the money that was needed and would not appear on the grid. While testing the Michelin F1 tyres with Williams he continued racing in the LMP1 with Audi, which was the best choice!
Pedro de la Rosa – 1998 & 2001 Minardi
Pedro de la Rosa a Minardi driver? It could have been reality in 1998 and 2001. After winning the Formula Nippon in 1997, he gained the interest from Minardi. Sadly, the source from it isn’t available anymore. However, Minardi was keen to contract Pedro at that time a young talent that was ready to enter the Formula One. It seems that the money he had to bring with him for a seat was not there. Therefore, Esteban Tuero and Shinji Nakano raced for the team in 1998. De la Rosa was at the end of the season rumoured to race for Minardi in 1999. However, it was soon clear that he signed a deal with Arrows for 1999.
While racing for Arrows in 1999 and 2000 Pedro had to look for a new seat as Enrique Bernoldi replaced him at Arrows in 2001. It is Paul Stoddart, at that time the new Minardi owner, who offered Pedro a contract to race for the team. However, Pedro declined the offer from Minardi to race for them in 2001. The reasons are clear; it was questionable if the team would even complete the season. Eventually Fernando Alonso and Tarso Marques debuted the PS01 at Albert Park. Pedro would eventually race for Jaguar in 2001 and 2002 to arrive at McLaren between 2003 and 2009 where he did compete in several races due to the illness of other drivers. In 2010, he appeared behind the wheel of the Sauber, which was purchased by Peter Sauber for 1 euro from BMW. Only to announce his contract with HRT for 2012!
Oliver Gavin – 1995 Pacific Grand Prix
Oliver Gavin is the type of driver that has tested a lot with Formula One cars though never made it to the grid. As runner-up in the 1993 British Formula Three Championship, he tried his luck in the International Formula 3000 Championship. In the five races, he appeared at the start of a race he failed to score any points. The same year he was announced as Pacific Grand Prix’s their test driver for 1994 winning the British Formula Three Championship in 1995 he was asked by Pacific Grand Prix if he was willing to race for them in Australia.
The last Grand Prix of the season. Sadly, for him, he did not get his super license at that time from the FIA. Therefore, he would not debut in the Formula One and it seemed this was his only chance. While he kept on active as a test driver such for Tyrrell and Renault, he never came close again to race.
