"Michael Schumacher remains at Jordan" Alternate Career

[Gertrand Bachot]

It's a fairly well-known fact about the 1991 season that the great Michael Schumacher debuted at Jordan at the 1991 Belgian Grand Prix, and that just after the race Benetton poached him to their team, and the rest is history. However, what if that didn't happen, and Schumacher had seen out 1991 for the Jordan team, and the knock-on effect it would have on his career and F1 history in general. Well, I shall be re-running every race from the 1991 Italian Grand Prix onwards, until his in-universe retirement. I will be using GP2 to run this, and we know how interesting that game can be at generating results. I will be providing the results in a table below on this posts.

Progress: Italy 1991 - Australia 1993

Link in case table does not work properly for you.

Year-by-year team list
1991: Jordan
1992: Jordan
1993: Footwork
1994: Footwork

1992 Lineups
McLaren-Honda
#1 - Ayrton Senna
#2 - Martin Brundle

Tyrrell-Ilmor
#3 - Stefano Modena
#4 - Andrea De Cesaris

Williams-Renault
#5 - Nigel Mansell
#6 - Riccardo Patrese

Brabham-Judd
#7 - Eric van de Poele
#8 - Giovanna Amati

Footwork-Mugen Honda
#9 - Michele Alboreto
#10 - Aguri Suzuki

Lotus-Ford
#11 - Mika Hakkinen
#12 - Johnny Herbert

Fondmetal-Ford
#14 - Andrea Chiesa
#15 - Gabriele Tarquini

March-Ilmor
#16 - Karl Wendlinger
#17 - Paul Belmondo

Benetton-Ford
#19 - Nelson Piquet
#20 - Ivan Capelli

Dallara-Ferrari
#21 - JJ Lehto
#22 - Pierluigi Martini

Minardi-Lamborghini
#23 - Christian Fittipaldi
#24 - Alessandro Zanardi

Ligier-Renault
#25 - Thierry Boutsen
#26 - Erik Comas

Ferrari
#27 - Jean Alesi
#28 - Gianni Morbidelli

Larrousse Venturi-Lamborghini
#29 - Bertrand Gachot
#30 - Ukyo Katayama

Jordan-Yamaha
#32 - Michael Schumacher
#33 - Mauricio Gugelmin

Andrea Moda-Judd
#34 - Alex Caffi
#35 - Enrico Bertaggia

Changes from real life
- McLaren released Gerhard Berger after his mediocre performances in the second half of 1991 which almost cost them the WCC to Williams and his failure to win a race in 2 seasons with the team. His replacement will be Martin Brundle.

- Stefano Modena remains at Tyrrell alongside new arrival Andrea De Cesaris, whilst Michael Schumacher remains at Jordan, partnered with Brazilian Mauricio Gugelmin,

- Ivan Capelli joins Benetton alongside Nelson Piquet, the team releasing Roberto Moreno. Gianni Morbidelli goes to Ferrari to cover for him, having driven for them in the 1991 Australian Grand Prix. Alessandro Zanardi then covers Morbidelli's place at Minardi, having also driven for them at the Australian Grand Prix the previous year.

Any comments and suggestions are very welcome!

[Gertrand Bachot]

South Africa - Spain 1992
South Africa race results
Pole - Nigel Mansell
Fastest Lap - Nigel Mansell
1 - Riccardo Patrese - Williams-Renault - 10
2 - Martin Brundle - McLaren-Honda - 6
3 - Ivan Capelli - Benetton-Ford - 4
4 - Ayrton Senna - McLaren-Honda - 3
5 - Nelson Piquet - Benetton-Ford - 2
6 - Érik Comas - Ligier-Renault - 1

14 - Michael Schumacher - Jordan-Yamaha

Mexico Race Results
Pole - Nigel Mansell
Fastest Lap - Nigel Mansell
1 - Nigel Mansell - Williams-Renault - 10
2 - Martin Brundle - McLaren-Honda - 6
3 - Ayrton Senna - McLaren-Honda - 4
4 - Nelson Piquet - Benetton-Ford - 3
5 - Riccardo Patrese - Williams-Renault - 2
6 - J.J. Lehto - Dallara-Ferrari - 1

Ret - Michael Schumacher - Jordan-Yamaha - Engine

Brazil race results
Pole - Nigel Mansell
Fastest Lap - Nigel Mansell
1 - Nigel Mansell - Williams-Renault - 10
2 - Ayrton Senna - McLaren-Honda - 6
3 - Riccardo Patrese - Williams-Renault - 4
4 - Ivan Capelli - Benetton-Ford - 3
5 - Nelson Piquet - Benetton-Ford - 2
6 - J.J. Lehto - Dallara-Ferrari - 1

10 - Michael Schumacher - Jordan-Yamaha

Spain race results
Pole - Nigel Mansell
Fastest Lap - Nigel Mansell
1 - Nigel Mansell - Williams-Renault - 10
2 - Ayrton Senna - McLaren-Honda - 6
3 - Nelson Piquet - Benetton-Ford - 4
4 - Martin Brundle - McLaren-Honda - 3
5 - Ivan Capelli - Benetton-Ford - 2
6 - Pierluigi Martini - Dallara-Ferrari - 1

Ret - Michael Schumacher - Jordan-Yamaha - Loose Wheel

[Rob Dylan]

Who knew a simulation of 1992 without Michael Schumacher in a Benetton would see Nigel Mansell even more dominant? Keep it up, this depressing Schumacher-less alternative is interesting

[Gertrand Bachot]

Who knew a simulation of 1992 without Michael Schumacher in a Benetton would see Nigel Mansell even more dominant? Keep it up, this depressing Schumacher-less alternative is interesting

Well, it gets slightly more interesting...

San Marino - France 1992
San Marino race results
Pole - Nigel Mansell
Fastest Lap - Nigel Mansell
1 - Nigel Mansell - Williams-Renault - 10
2 - Ayrton Senna - McLaren-Honda - 6
3 - Riccardo Patrese - Williams-Renault - 4
4 - Gianni Morbidelli - Ferrari - 3
5 - Érik Comas - Ligier-Renault - 2
6 - Ivan Capelli - Benetton-Ford - 1

Ret - Michael Schumacher - Jordan-Yamaha - Engine

Monaco Race Results
Pole - Nigel Mansell
Fastest Lap - Nigel Mansell
1 - Nigel Mansell - Williams-Renault - 10
2 - Riccardo Patrese - Williams-Renault - 6
3 - Ivan Capelli - Benetton-Ford - 4
4 - Ayrton Senna - McLaren-Honda - 3
5 - Nelson Piquet - Benetton-Ford - 2
6 - Jean Alesi - Ferrari - 1

Ret - Michael Schumacher - Jordan-Yamaha - Water Leak (basically engine)

Canada race results
Pole - Nigel Mansell
Fastest Lap - Nigel Mansell
1 - Riccardo Patrese - Williams-Renault - 10
2 - Ayrton Senna - McLaren-Honda - 6
3 - Martin Brundle - McLaren-Honda - 4
4 - Nigel Mansell - Williams-Renault - 3
5 - Nelson Piquet - Benetton-Ford - 2
6 - Ivan Capelli - Benetton-Ford - 1

Ret - Michael Schumacher - Jordan-Yamaha - Oil Leak (again, basically engine )

France race results
Pole - Nigel Mansell
Fastest Lap - Riccardo Patrese
1 - Nigel Mansell - Williams-Renault - 10
2 - Ayrton Senna - McLaren-Honda - 6
3 - Martin Brundle - McLaren-Honda - 4
4 - Jean Alesi - Ferrari - 3
5 - Mika Häkkinen - Lotus-Ford - 2
6 - Michele Alboreto - Footwork-Mugen Honda - 1

12 - Michael Schumacher - Jordan-Yamaha

[Gertrand Bachot]

Right, 1992 has now been finished! You can see the final results on the table linked in the opening post.

The vast majority of Michael's retirements were engine-related issues. It was even worse at Portugal, Japan and Australia where he was in a points position before having his engine let go. The fact that it was only 3 laps from the end in Japan really took the piss. Goddamned Yamaha.

Anyways, I will post the 1993 lineups very shortly. Expect to see this series get slightly more creative! (I hope so, anyways )

[Gertrand Bachot]

Canon Williams Team

1992 WCC Position: 1st

#0 - Mika Häkkinen
#2 - Alain Prost

The reigning world champions see the loss of their champion driver, as Nigel Mansell heads over to the United States to race in CART after Williams signed Alain Prost to the team, and joining Prost is young Finn Mika Häkkinen on the back of 2 good seasons of Lotus, and is surely a star of the future. Especially when they have retained designer Adrian Newey, expect even more success from them in 1993.

1993 WCC Prediction: 2nd

Marlboro McLaren

1992 WCC Position: 2nd

#7 - Michael Andretti
#8 - Martin Brundle

McLaren have the odds stacked against them in 1993. After a successful partnership that gave the Woking squad 4 straight titles, Honda have decided to withdraw from Formula One after being largely outclassed by Renault in 1992, forcing the team to take customer Ford V8s, 2 specifications down from the units used by the factory Benetton team. The team's losses are further compounded, when after a test in late 1992, Ayrton Senna. like Mansell, opted to switch to the CART Series in America for the Penske team, which complicated matters further for the team. As a result, the team have had to stick with Martin Brundle, who won at his home grand prix in 1992, but was otherwise beaten by Senna handily. The team have managed to persuade Michael Andretti to drive for them however; the American comes with high credentials, having managed to win the 1991 CART title, and being son of World Champion Mario, so the expectations are high. Expect McLaren to be relatively up there, but behind Williams and Benetton.

1993 WCC Prediction: 3rd

Camel Benetton Ford

1992 WCC Position: 3rd

#5 - Ivan Capelli
#6 - Riccardo Patrese

Benetton have gone all-Italian for 1993, following a good season in 1992. They have retained Ivan Capelli, after beating Nelson Piquet comfortably, and winning the season-ending Australian Grand Prix. They have also captured Riccardo Patrese from Williams, the Italian having the best season of his career, winning 5 races and scoring 78 points to finish 2nd. Also retaining their works relationship with Ford, and with an ever-improving chassis, expect them to be even better, perhaps even challenging Williams.

1993 WCC Prediction: 2nd

Scuderia Ferrari

1992 WCC Position: 4th

#27 - Jean Alesi
#28 - Gianni Morbidelli

Despite finishing 4th in the WCC, 1992 was a disaster for Ferrari. The Scuderia failed to score a podium for the first time in over 10 years, and only claimed 13 points from the chronically unreliable and ineffective F92A. They have retained Jean Alesi and Gianni Morbidelli, and can only hope that 1993 will be a better season.

1993 WCC Prediction: 4th

Lola BMS Scuderia Italia

1992 WCC Position: 5th

#21 - Michele Alboreto
#22 - Luca Badoer

After a breakout 1992 with semi-regular points finishes from Finn J.J. Lehto, which culminated in 7 points and 5th in the WCC, 1993 holds greater expectations for Scuderia Italia. They have gambled on switching from Dallara to Lola chassis supply, and have signed 2 new drivers, former Footwork driver Michele Alboreto and 1992 International F3000 champion Luca Badoer. Good right? Well, you would be wrong. The Lola has been appalling in testing, and this is a gamble that may backfire spectacularly.

1993 WCC Prediction: 12th

Team Lotus

1992 WCC Position: 7th

#11 - Alessandro Zanardi
#12 - Johnny Herbert

Lotus were solid midfielders in 1992, although the new 107 chassis had teething reliability issues, which meant that they could have scored more than the eventual 5 points that they actually did score. Having lost star driver Mika Häkkinen to Williams, they decided to keep Johnny Herbert and sign Alessandro Zanardi from the Minardi team. With a solid lineup, and the team hopefully having ironed out the issues with reliability, Lotus should be best of the rest in 1993.

1993 WCC Prediction: 5th

Ligier Gitanes Blondes

1992 WCC Position: 7th

#25 - Mark Blundell
#26 - Olivier Panis

Despite Ligier scoring their first points in almost 3 years, with the Renault engines, Ligier were expected to score more than just 4 points in 1992. But they did. And they were all entirely from young Frenchman Érik Comas. The team's experienced lead driver, Thierry Boutsen, proved to be inept, and did not do anything to improve his reputation. Both drivers have gone, Comas moving to Larrousse and Boutsen being sacked. In their places are Mark Blundell, who last drove in 1991 for the now-defunct Brabham team, and rookie Olivier Panis, who finished runners-up in 1991 French Formula Three and was a midfielder in F3000 in 1992. With this promising lineup, tied to the Renault engines and the recent takeover by businessman Cyril de Rouvre, show a more promising year for the French squad, who are in need of success following a struggle for survival in years gone by.

1993 WCC Prediction: 6th

Footwork Mugen Honda

1992 WCC Position: 8th

#9 - Michael Schumacher
#10 - Aguri Suzuki

Footwork, after a horrid 1991, had a much better year in 1992, scoring 4 points courtesy of experienced Italian lead driver Michele Alboreto. Alboreto has moved to Scuderia Italia, and in his place is young German Michael Schumacher, having shown potential at Jordan, if lacking in results from severe unreliability. Aguri Suzuki, despite being off the pace compared to Alboreto, has been retained, undoubtedly at the behest of engine supplier Mugen Honda. The team should be in a similar position to 1992; Schumacher may score a couple of points, but unless Suzuki pulls his weight in the other car, they will be firmly rooted in the midfield.

1993 WCC Prediction: 8th

Minardi Team

1993 WCC Position: NC (10th)

#23 - Christian Fittipaldi
#24 - Pierluigi Martini

Minardi were expected to do better then they did. like Ligier, due to their engine supply. The team had consistent finishes from the youthful partnership of Christian Fittipaldi and Alessandro Zanardi, but no points. This year, the Italian minnows are hoping for some points. They have ditched the somewhat unwieldy Lamborghini units for Ford units, and brought back Pierluigi Martini from Lotus to replace the Lotus-bound Alessandro Zanardi, as well as retaining Fittipaldi. 1993 therefore should be more of the same from Minardi.

1993 WCC Prediction: 9th

Larrousse F1

1992 WCC Position: NC (11th)

#19 - Philippe Alliot
#20 - Érik Comas

Larrousse are slowly starting to get back on their feet again after the Lola saga. They have brought back Philippe Alliot, and nabbed Érik Comas from Ligier. They have also finally, after almost 10 seasons in F1, decided to finally start making their own chassis. Things are looking good for a point or 2 then.

1993 WCC Prediction: 10th

Tyrrell Racing Organisation

1992 WCC Position: NC (12th)

#3 - Andrea De Cesaris
#4 - Ukyo Katayama

Oh dear. A dreadful 1992 occured with Ilmor engines and the 1991 chassis, and they keep the chassis, which isn't gonna age any less, and sign the absolutely awful Yamaha engines. 1993 may be the end of the Tyrrell team as we know them.

1993 WCC Prediction: 13th

Sasol Jordan

1992 WCC Position: NC (13th)

#14 - Rubens Barrichello
#15 - Gerhard Berger

Jordan's 1992 was terrible, mainly thanks to Yamaha. They could have had 3 points, but the turdbuckets exploded. They have signed with Hart, which is a gamble which could be successful. They have also lost both of their drivers. Michael Schumacher has gone to Footwork, whilst Maurício Gugelmin has gone to CART. In their places are Brazilian rookie Rubens Barrichello, and Gerhard Berger, who will be hoping to rebuild his career after being dropped by McLaren at the end of 1991. 1993 should be a slight improvement, but not too much compared to 1992.

1993 WCC Prediction: 11th

Team Sauber Formula 1

New team

#29 - Karl Wendlinger
#30 - J.J. Lehto

Out of all the new teams that have come into F1 in the past few years, Sauber have the potential to be one of the most successful. They have 2 talented drivers, Karl Wendlinger and J.J. Lehto, and have Ilmor engines, and are being backed by Mercedes, suggesting a return to the sport is in line for the manufacturer in future. They should be in a position to land in the midfield and score a few good points.

1993 WCC Prediction: 7th

[Gertrand Bachot]

The South African and Brazilian Grands Prix have been added to the table on the opening post. Anyone want to have a guess at predicting any eventual championship orders/winners/other stuff?

Berger fired from Jordan
After embarrassingly failing to qualify for the Brazilian Grand Prix, Eddie Jordan has fired Gerhard Berger from his eponymous team. The Austrian, who has never really been the same after being fired from McLaren at the end of 1991, has been horribly off the pace compared to Brazilian rookie teammate Rubens Barrichello, and Jordan was reportedly frustrated with him since the beginning of the season, and the DNQ at Sao Paulo was reportedly the last straw for the Irishman. Berger will be replaced by experienced Belgian Thierry Boutsen.

[Rob Dylan]

Ouch, poor Berger. What a fall from grace. It's also a shame we never got to see that world-beating Schumacher-Berger partnership in 1992/3! What could have been I suppose.

I also appreciate the naming of Gertrand Bachot to your own name; it's a nice touch

EDIT: and as you can see, I myself misspelled his name. Look what you've done to me.

[Gertrand Bachot]

Ouch, poor Berger. What a fall from grace. It's also a shame we never got to see that world-beating Schumacher-Berger partnership in 1992/3! What could have been I suppose.

I also appreciate the naming of Gertrand Bachot to your own name; it's a nice touch

EDIT: and as you can see, I myself misspelled his name. Look what you've done to me.

You might like this next bit...

The European, San Marino and Spanish Grands Prix has been added to the table.

[Gertrand Bachot]

The Monaco, Canadian, French and British Grands Prix have been added.

[Gertrand Bachot]

The rest of the season has been done. And, the champion is no other than Martin Brundle! Now, that is certainly an interesting result to say the least, but make of that what you will. Anyways, 1994 will begin very shortly.

[Gertrand Bachot]

1994 lineups

McLaren-Peugeot
#1 - Martin Brundle
#2 - Philippe Alliot

Tyrrell-Yamaha
#3 - Mark Blundell
#4 - Ukyo Katayama

Benetton-Ford
#5 - Ivan Capelli
#6 - J.J. Lehto

Williams-Renault
#7 - Ayrton Senna
#8 - Mika Häkkinen

Footwork-Ford
#9 - Michael Schumacher
#10 - Christian Fittipaldi

Lotus-Mugen Honda
#11 - Pedro Lamy
#12 - Johnny Herbert

Jordan-Hart
#14 - Rubens Barrichello
#15 - Eddie Irvine

Larrousse-Ford
#19 - Olivier Beretta
#20 - Érik Comas

Minardi-Ford
#23 - Pierluigi Martini
#24 - Luca Badoer

Ligier-Renault
#25 - Eric Bernard
#26 - Olivier Panis

Ferrari
#27 - Jean Alesi
#28 - Gianni Morbidelli

Sauber-Mercedes
#29 - Karl Wendlinger
#30 - Heinz-Harald Frentzen

Simtek-Ford
#31 - David Brabham
#32 - Roland Ratzenberger

Pacific-Ford
#33 - Paul Belmondo
#34 - Karl Wendlinger

The season will begin soon.

[Gertrand Bachot]

Lehto in critical condition after testing crash
Finn J.J. Lehto, who has been signed by the Benetton team for the 1994 F1 season, is reported to be in critical condition after an accident during testing of the new car, the B194. Lehto is reported to have serious spinal injuries, as well as... windows.exe has stopped working.

[Gertrand Bachot]

After a, ahem, long time without updates, the first 4 races of 1994 have been added to the table on the first page.