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.
Katsumi Yamamoto – 1995 Pacific Grand Prix
Katsumi Yamamoto is the kind of driver you probably have forgotten about. Perhaps vaguely a bell rings somewhere reading the name. Nothing much is known about Katsumi. In 1993, he made his debut in the Formulae series when he appeared at the start of the Japanese Formula 3 Championship. Scoring zero points, he moves for 1994 towards the German Formula 3 Championship where he would score two points within 17 races. In 1995, he returns to Japan to compete in the Japanese Formula 3000 Championship. Thanks to these results, and the amount of sponsor money, Pacific Grand Prix had asked him to test for the team. Eventually the deal was signed the 17th of October 1995. He would race for the team at Pacific and Suzuka. He paid 1.2 million dollar for it. However, due to his poor results and lack of experience his super license was refused.
Akihiko Nakaya – 1992 Brabham
Nakaya would debut in the Formula One at the age of 35 with the Brabham team. Already in 1991, he signed a contract with them to become their driver. Prior his debut he had an active career most in the Japanese Formula Three and Japanese touring car championships. In 1990 and 1991, Akihiko competed in the Japanese Touring Car Championship and the Japanese Formula 3000 Championship. With decent results, therefore it was not strange he was in the scope, with the sponsor money he had, within a team as Brabham. In Autosport 02-01-1992 there was a chart published with who drives were. Next to Eric van de Poele it was Akihiko who was the other driver. Sadly, the FIA did not grant him a super license as the Japanese F3000 was not seen at that time as a stepping-stone to F1.
Eventually Giovanni Amati took place behind the wheel of the Brabham BT60B. After she failed to qualify for the Brazilian Grand Prix that year she was replaced by Damon Hill. After the Hungarian Grand Prix where Hill finished eleventh, the team folded. Attempts were made by Galmer to bring the team back on the grid.
James Rossiter – 2010 USF1 Team
James was one of the lucky once that was to debut in the Formula One with USF1 Team, only to see his team shattered even before it all started. Already in 2004, Rossiter was in the scope from BAR when the team was looking for talented youngsters. From 2004 onwards, he would stay as a development tested for the now Honda team. In between, he also did some testing for Super Aguri in 2007. After several brands left, the Formula One like Honda Rossiter was looking to secure a seat with one of the new teams. He did struck a deal. Already in December 2009, he signed a contract with the USF1 Team to become their driver. However, even before the circus started the team disappeared in early 2010 from the radar. With their famous tweet that they are working on the servers, ever since.
Rossiter came close in 2013 to appear on the track during the Free Practice of the 2013 British Grand Prix for Force India. He would replace Adrian Sutil. Sadly, due to the heavy rain he would no appear on the track.
