Rumoured F1/motorsport driver/team moves

Shawn040217 · Post by **Shawn040217** » 12 Jul 2021, 02:48

In an area where we talk about the weird and wacko of F1, there are many occasions where things could have gone much, much more crazier than reality. With that in mind, what are the rumoured moves straight from the grapevine that never materialised? Could they have changed the course of F1 as we know it had they happened, or would they have wound up as a mere footnote, resigned to being minor slipups for Sporcle quizes?

To start off, here are a couple :

Roman Rusinov (Caterham, 2014)
- curiously, this wouldn't be the current LMP2 driver's first foray into F1 - he was able to conduct a few tests for the newly-formed Midland F1 squad at the end of 2005 (out of 4 test drivers, he was the only one unable to compete in Friday free practice the following year, due to insufficient roubles). At the eve of the inaugural Russian GP, the then-32-year-old was linked to take over Kamui Kobayashi's ride for the meet, but that never came to pass, for better or for worse (most definitely the latter).

Kimi Raikkonen (Robby Gordon Motorsports, 2011)
- Wait....WHAT?? In the middle of Kimi's F1 hiatus, in addition to his WRC tenure, he went Stateside to ol' NASCAR, where he competed in one Trucks and one Nationwide Series event for KBM and NEMCO respectively. But more seemed to be around the corner, where his manager Todd Hirschfield arranged a test with Robby Gordon Motorsports, founded by the madlad himself/CART race winner/Stadium Super Trucks founder, who himself snagged a few Cup Series victories (and lost one in laughable fashion), with a view to a Cup Series appearance at Sonoma/Watkins Glen. However, whilst testing at Virginia International Raceway, after a few laps he went off circuit and rooted the front splitter - in classic Kimi fashion, he got out and flew to Monaco right away.

Dave Coyne (Jordan, 1991)
- A star in Formula Fords throughout the 80s, he was phoned by Stan Oldacre, the finance blokie for the fledgling Jordan F1 squad, who had a vacancy after Bertrand Gachot decided to commit the kek on that London cabbie. Dave was on the shortlist of potential replacements - which included Roland Ratzenberger, Ross Cheever, Keke Rosberg, Derek Warwick and Stefan Johansson - and needed to get a license if he was to get the gig, but this proved academic as Eddie Jordan had already taken a chance on some punk German kid for Spa - and we all know how that turned out.

Rick Mears (1980, Brabham)
- Having come off an Indy 500 triumph and CART title the previous year, Bernie Ecclestone gave him a series of tests in the BT49, where he impressed the likes of Herbie Blash and Charlie Whiting, as well as eventual champion Nelson Piquet, with his polite, smooth, intelligent demeanor. He was rumoured to be piloting a third Brabham at Long Beach, and there were rumblings of the Californian replacing the unimpressive Ricardo Zunino from the France GP onwards, but declined the offer after finding out he had to pay for it, eventually becoming one of the biggest American single-seater icons.

If you've got any on your mind, feel free to add on to the list - it's set to be a burgeoning one, that's for sure!

tBone · Post by **tBone** » 12 Jul 2021, 07:20

When I was doing the 1995 season of Nathan van Dijk's virtual career, I came across this rumor, which definitely deserves a mention!

Jan Magnussen · Post by **Rob Dylan** » 12 Jul 2021, 07:56

A personal favourite of mine: the first talks of Kimi's return to F1 in 2012 came not with Lotus, but with Williams!

I've wondered for a long time how that would pan out: Pastor Maldonado and Kimi in the same team together during 2012, a year that was weird enough already. What on earth would have happened next? Would it have been the Finn winning in Spain instead of Pastor? Would he have showed up just how weak the real-life Williams drivers were that season? Would he have floundered and been laughed at as an embarrassment?

And what about Lotus? Who would they have snatched as their lead driver without Kimi? Especially if they wanted Grosjean, they would have wanted at least a little maturity alongside their new driver. Would Petrov have stayed on? Would Petrov have won in Abu Dhabi? :lol:

Would Lotus have tried to snatch someone like Kovalainen back again after such a fantastic 2011 season? Would either Petrov or Heikki have benefitted from this in terms of their career longevity?

tBone · Post by **tBone** » 12 Jul 2021, 08:40

That's an interesting one, Rob. Petrov might have kept the seat, although it was clear he wasn't one of the best drivers available. I could see them settle for an experienced driver like Kovalainen or Glock, or could Hulkenberg have been an option?

Bleu · Post by **Bleu** » 12 Jul 2021, 09:55

Alguersuari was in talks with Lotus/Renault before he was persuaded to stay with Red Bull family and then in the end he and Buemi were replaced by Ricciardo and Vergne. And at that point there was no other place to go but if there was no Kimi in Lotus there might have been a drive available.

Shawn040217 · Post by **Shawn040217** » 13 Jul 2021, 05:46

Tom Kristensen (Simtek, 1994)
- Having taken on a different path in his single-seater career in the Far East, Mr Le Mans clinched the 1993 Japanese F3 title, and proved to be a solid hand in the JTCC as well. He was offered to be a part of Simtek's second driver merry-go-round, piloting the #32 at the Jerez GP and Japanese GP, but could not cough up the 2 million kroner required to nab the ride (despite hiring two managers to boost his chances) , which ultimately went to rejecters Taki Inoue and Mimo Schiatterella.

Anthony Reid (Unknown squad in NASCAR, 1998)
- The then 38-year-old was touted for a one-off gig in the Mattias Ekstrom/Jan Magnussen mold, with plans to race a Ford in the Watkins Glen Winston Cup race later that year, with the team owner Robin Rennick (the 1965 Sexton Trophy winner, awarded to the hottest Irish racing talent around) who was the being a friend of Alec Poole, the boss of Nissan Motorsport Europe who ran Reid's Primera in the BTCC.

Eric Comas (Donlavey Racing, 1999)
- How's that for a potential cameo? Most notable for being the driver that Ayrton Senna saved in a massive shunt at Spa-Francorchamps in 1992, since stepping away from F1 in 1994 the Frenchman had become a mainstay of the Japanese Super GT series for Nissan, managing to claim the GT500 crown twice. Like Reid, he was linked to a gig with Robin Rennick's squad, but he was too rumoured to pilot the #90 Donlavey Racing Ford at Sonoma, a squad that had become synonymous throughout the 70s/80s with Jody Ridley and Dick Brooks behind the wheel and were tethering on the verge of death by the time the 00s rolled around.

Tom Coronel (Della Penna Motorsports, 2000)
Coming off a Formula Nippon title, eventual touring car regular Tom looked to broaden his horizons via moving stateside to CART, where he tested for Della Penna Motorsports at Sebring, basically the Minardi/Arrows of CART if you will. John Della Penna was happy with the Dutchman, and hinted at a potential expansion to two cars, but a lack of sponsorship put paid to these plans.

Max Wilson (Minardi, 2000)
- Most known for being mad Down Under in V8 Supercars, the Brazilian is better than people give him credit for. Despite a rather lowly background, he bagged 2nd in the South American F3 Championship in 1995, and impressed many with 10th in the German F3 Championship the next year. Having tested for Williams throughout 1998, and assisted in Michelin's re-entry into F1 the following year, Max was touted for a seat with the Italian underdogs for 2000, but a lack of moolah meant he was passed over in favour of rejectman Gaston Mazzacane. Following that, he drove the neck out of a recalcitrant Arciero-Ford package in CART in 2001, before making the jump to Australia where he drove for Dick Johnson Racing and the infamous WPS Racing, where he was decent, if a little crash-happy, eventually returning to his native Brazil where he claimed the 2010 Stock Car Brasil crown.

James1978 · Post by **James1978** » 14 Jul 2021, 10:09

One interesting one for me is if Alonso had gone to Red Bull for 2008 (Christian Horner did confirm he was in talks). He'd have looked like a genius given what happened to them in the next few years. Though it would have been in place of Webber (who would have gone to Renault instead of Alonso), so presumably after Coulthard retired at the end of 2008 it would have been Alonso/Vettel for 2009 which could have been tasty.

Jan Magnussen · Post by **Rob Dylan** » 14 Jul 2021, 14:24

What a minefield Alonso's career had the potential to be. It was already incendiary enough with Flavio, the team relationship with Fisi and Jarno. Then there was the McLaren debacle. Then you would have had a Red Bull implosion around 2010-2011 or so.

I would imagine Alonso leaving after 2011 to... Ferrari I guess

then maybe history would right itself. From there, Alonso would have been fighting Vettel for the championship in 2012 as normal and the space-time continuum would stabilise.

What would happen to Webber in that case? Perhaps even if Alonso went to Red Bull, it would be Coulthard who got kicked instead of Mark? Either way, a free Mark Webber could even have had the potential to be picked up by McLaren or someone like that. Maybe Coulthard would make a shock return to McLaren in 2008 8-)

And what about a fresh new seat at Red Bull in 2012 to partner Vettel? It would be a nicer timeline in that Alguersuari or Buemi would get promoted. With my guess it would have been Buemi.

Post by **Londoner** » 15 Jul 2021, 20:16

tBone wrote:When I was doing the 1995 season of Nathan van Dijk's virtual career, I came across this rumor, which definitely deserves a mention!

Robby Gordon in F1 would have been amazing entertainment, the midfield wouldn't know how to deal with him.

Mind you, given this is Robby Gordon we're talking about, I can't imagine him being satisfied with the JS43, it would have been a big step down compared to the Reynards he drove at Walker.

Mark Martin was allegedly going to attempt a BTCC round in 1995, Ford/Valvoline wanted to put him in a third Mondeo alongside Paul Radisich and Kelvin Burt. Sadly nothing came of it, but prime Mark Martin was one of the best NASCAR road course racers of that era, just thinking about what might have been is sad.

Har1MAS1415 · Post by **Har1MAS1415** » 18 Nov 2021, 18:05

This can include non-starters as technically that makes them entries that never happened.

This can also include tests that never went anywhere.

Post by **Londoner** » 19 Nov 2021, 11:54

My favourite rumour is that Ford/Valvoline were planning to enter a third Mondeo for one of the Donington rounds in 1995, with none other than NASCAR superstar (and in a fair universe the 1990 Winston Cup champion :cry:

) Mark Martin at the wheel! Given Martin was arguably the best road course ringer in Winston Cup at that time (he'd dominated the Watkins Glen race three years in a row at this point), this could have been something special, and opened the floodgates to other Winston Cup drivers trying their hand at it. Imagine Ricky Rudd or Rusty Wallace tackling Thruxton in Mondeos...

Har1MAS1415 · Post by **Har1MAS1415** » 25 Nov 2021, 13:36

1992
Dave Brodie was supposed to do another season with his 4x4 Sapphire. Also Pinkney was entered in his Sapphire for the British GP meeting

1993
Prodrive were going to run works Mercedes in the last few rounds, with Tim Sugden and possibly Bernd Schneider. The other Gareth Howell was entered in his Sapphire. Also Guy Povey was supposed to do the TOCA Shootout.

1994
Ian Flux was going to compete in an ex works Peugeot. Philippe Gache and Johnny Cecotto were on the entry list for the World Cup supporting TOCA Shootout.

1995
Slim Borgudd was on the entry list in an RD run, privately entered Mazda 323 under the Team Magic banner

Har1MAS1415 · Post by **Har1MAS1415** » 05 Dec 2021, 10:32

Can include non-starters as technically they entered but never actually raced and tests that never went anywhere.

In keeping with the Rejects theme, there was the infamous Eagle Aircraft Flyer Special that Ken Hamilton tried and failed to qualify for the 1982 Indy 500 with.

Also the Ferrari 637 and Lotus 96T Indycar concepts of the mid 1980s.

Har1MAS1415 · Post by **Har1MAS1415** » 05 Dec 2021, 12:33

1991

James Weaver was intended to share the #44 Prodrive BMW with Steve Soper and Christian Danner. The team also intended to run a 3rd car for Jimmy McRae.

Trackstar originally intended to run a trio of Audi 80s for Robb Gravett, Mike Smith and Jonathan Palmer. The team then intended to run Smith and Sean Walker in Ford Sapphires alongside Gravett's entry.

Frank Sytner joined another BMW team and rumoured to be partnering Finnish driver Hakki Salamentio.

There was a rumour regarding a Honda Concerto making an appearance, either with James Kaye graduating from the CRX Series or Ray Armes, given he had recent BTCC experience with a Civic.

A Renault and a Lancia were rumoured among the privateer entrants.

Bleu · Post by **Bleu** » 06 Dec 2021, 17:03

Har1MAS1415 wrote:1991
Frank Sytner joined another BMW team and rumoured to be partnering Finnish driver Hakki Salamentio.

Heikki Salmenautio (1958-2016) is the correct name for the driver you probably mean.

Har1MAS1415 · Post by **Har1MAS1415** » 07 Dec 2021, 01:20

Bleu wrote:
Har1MAS1415 wrote:1991
Frank Sytner joined another BMW team and rumoured to be partnering Finnish driver Hakki Salamentio.

Heikki Salmenautio (1958-2016) is the correct name for the driver you probably mean.

Blast whoever published Motorsport Magazine's 1991 BTCC preview! That's how the article spelt it.

Har1MAS1415 · Post by **Har1MAS1415** » 08 Dec 2021, 18:28

https://www.autosport.com/indycar/news/ ... r/6861462/ - That's at least three drives that didn't work out for Bjorn Wirdheim.

Har1MAS1415 · Post by **Har1MAS1415** » 06 Jan 2022, 14:23

Shawn040217 wrote:In an area where we talk about the weird and wacko of F1, there are many occasions where things could have gone much, much more crazier than reality. With that in mind, what are the rumoured moves straight from the grapevine that never materialised? Could they have changed the course of F1 as we know it had they happened, or would they have wound up as a mere footnote, resigned to being minor slipups for Sporcle quizes?

To start off, here are a couple :

Roman Rusinov (Caterham, 2014)
- curiously, this wouldn't be the current LMP2 driver's first foray into F1 - he was able to conduct a few tests for the newly-formed Midland F1 squad at the end of 2005 (out of 4 test drivers, he was the only one unable to compete in Friday free practice the following year, due to insufficient roubles). At the eve of the inaugural Russian GP, the then-32-year-old was linked to take over Kamui Kobayashi's ride for the meet, but that never came to pass, for better or for worse (most definitely the latter).

Kimi Raikkonen (Robby Gordon Motorsports, 2011)
- Wait....WHAT?? In the middle of Kimi's F1 hiatus, in addition to his WRC tenure, he went Stateside to ol' NASCAR, where he competed in one Trucks and one Nationwide Series event for KBM and NEMCO respectively. But more seemed to be around the corner, where his manager Todd Hirschfield arranged a test with Robby Gordon Motorsports, founded by the madlad himself/CART race winner/Stadium Super Trucks founder, who himself snagged a few Cup Series victories (and lost one in laughable fashion), with a view to a Cup Series appearance at Sonoma/Watkins Glen. However, whilst testing at Virginia International Raceway, after a few laps he went off circuit and rooted the front splitter - in classic Kimi fashion, he got out and flew to Monaco right away.

Dave Coyne (Jordan, 1991)
- A star in Formula Fords throughout the 80s, he was phoned by Stan Oldacre, the finance blokie for the fledgling Jordan F1 squad, who had a vacancy after Bertrand Gachot decided to commit the kek on that London cabbie. Dave was on the shortlist of potential replacements - which included Roland Ratzenberger, Ross Cheever, Keke Rosberg, Derek Warwick and Stefan Johansson - and needed to get a license if he was to get the gig, but this proved academic as Eddie Jordan had already taken a chance on some punk German kid for Spa - and we all know how that turned out.

Rick Mears (1980, Brabham)
- Having come off an Indy 500 triumph and CART title the previous year, Bernie Ecclestone gave him a series of tests in the BT49, where he impressed the likes of Herbie Blash and Charlie Whiting, as well as eventual champion Nelson Piquet, with his polite, smooth, intelligent demeanor. He was rumoured to be piloting a third Brabham at Long Beach, and there were rumblings of the Californian replacing the unimpressive Ricardo Zunino from the France GP onwards, but declined the offer after finding out he had to pay for it, eventually becoming one of the biggest American single-seater icons.

If you've got any on your mind, feel free to add on to the list - it's set to be a burgeoning one, that's for sure!

Cor Euser was also an option for Jordan in 1991 - https://champweb.net/once-upon-a-time-c ... ar-driver/

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 06 Jan 2022, 18:57

Har1MAS1415 wrote:Cor Euser was also an option for Jordan in 1991 - https://champweb.net/once-upon-a-time-c ... ar-driver/

That was a very interesting story, a case of what might have been, particularly in Indycar.

Har1MAS1415 · Post by **Har1MAS1415** » 06 Jan 2022, 20:12

BTCC 1991:

James Weaver was intended to share the #44 Prodrive BMW with Steve Soper and Christian Danner. The team also intended to run a 3rd car for Jimmy McRae.

Trackstar originally intended to run a trio of Audi 80s for Robb Gravett, Mike Smith and Jonathan Palmer. The team then intended to run Smith and Sean Walker in Ford Sapphires alongside Gravett's entry.

Frank Sytner joined another BMW team and rumoured to be partnering Finnish driver Heikki Salmenautio (though, for some reason, Motorsport Magazine misspelled his name as Hakki Salamentio).

There was a rumour regarding a Honda Concerto making an appearance, either with James Kaye graduating from the CRX Series or Ray Armes, given he had recent BTCC experience with a Civic.

Rumours suggested a Renault and a Lancia would be appearing as privateer entrants.

Also, Alistair Fenwick and Tony Bardy were non-starters in their one-off entries in the #18 Pyramid Motorsport BMW and the Vauxhall Belmont later raced by Jeff Wilson.

FMecha · Post by **FMecha** » 16 Feb 2022, 20:33

Sam Hornish apparently had a deal to drive for Dale Earnhardt Inc. in 2004 until Teresa Earnhardt kiboshed it

Har1MAS1415 · Post by **Har1MAS1415** » 22 Apr 2022, 15:35

Alan Jones and Jody Scheckter were intended to make one-off appearances in the 1998 British Touring Car Championship.

Har1MAS1415 · Post by **Har1MAS1415** » 07 Jul 2022, 11:43

https://m.youtube.com/watch?time_contin ... =emb_title

Har1MAS1415 · Post by **Har1MAS1415** » 22 Jul 2022, 14:16

https://www.alfabb.com/threads/alfa-rom ... ans.34309/ - The GT2 version of the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione intended for 2008, anyone?

Har1MAS1415 · Post by **Har1MAS1415** » 25 Oct 2022, 15:22

The secret Volkswagen 1980s F1 project.
https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/arch ... f1-project

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 07 Nov 2023, 21:21

Row Man Gross-Gene · Post by **Row Man Gross-Gene** » 08 Nov 2023, 02:44

dr-baker wrote: ↑07 Nov 2023, 21:21

Do we think Ralf would have done better or worse than Michael?

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 08 Nov 2023, 06:56

Row Man Gross-Gene wrote: ↑08 Nov 2023, 02:44
dr-baker wrote: ↑07 Nov 2023, 21:21

Do we think Ralf would have done better or worse than Michael?

Well, given the list of possible teams, even scoring points would have been a jolly decent showing (apart from Toro Rosso). But taking that into account, who knows. Probably would have been on a par with Jarno Trulli or Timo Glock.

Jan Magnussen · Post by **Rob Dylan** » 08 Nov 2023, 09:26

Row Man Gross-Gene wrote: ↑08 Nov 2023, 02:44
dr-baker wrote: ↑07 Nov 2023, 21:21

Do we think Ralf would have done better or worse than Michael?

Well he would have found it more difficult while driving for five teams simultaneously

Har1MAS1415 · Post by **Har1MAS1415** » 11 Nov 2023, 12:29

Anyone remember when Toro Rosso wanted to run Sebastien Loeb in Abu Dhabi in 2009 but he wasn't granted a superlicence?

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 11 Nov 2023, 14:32

Har1MAS1415 wrote: ↑11 Nov 2023, 12:29 Anyone remember when Toro Rosso wanted to run Sebastien Loeb in Abu Dhabi in 2009 but he wasn't granted a superlicence?

I remember now that you have reminded me. In the 1990s, we had Colin McRae testing a Jordan. None of the current WRC drivers seem to have the same clout as Solberg, Burns, McRae, etc. Can't see this happening again in the next 5 to 10 years.

Post by **Nuppiz** » 11 Nov 2023, 18:34

dr-baker wrote: ↑11 Nov 2023, 14:32
Har1MAS1415 wrote: ↑11 Nov 2023, 12:29 Anyone remember when Toro Rosso wanted to run Sebastien Loeb in Abu Dhabi in 2009 but he wasn't granted a superlicence?
I remember now that you have reminded me. In the 1990s, we had Colin McRae testing a Jordan. None of the current WRC drivers seem to have the same clout as Solberg, Burns, McRae, etc. Can't see this happening again in the next 5 to 10 years.

Tommi Mäkinen and motorbike world champion Mick Doohan also tested a Williams FW19 (painted in 1998 colours) as part of a Winfield promotion: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIugV2uRNR0

Both ended up binning it, Mäkinen a bit worse than Doohan.

Har1MAS1415 · Post by **Har1MAS1415** » 05 Dec 2023, 22:26

Jacques Villeneuve and Kazuki Nakajima were allegedly the intended drivers for Stefan GP in 2010.

Har1MAS1415 · Post by **Har1MAS1415** » 06 Dec 2023, 22:54

https://f1nostalgia.blogspot.com/2018/1 ... 0.html?m=1
Fabrizio Giovanardi being expected to race for the Life team in 1990.

Post by **Nuppiz** » 07 Dec 2023, 16:19

Emerson Fittipaldi was asked to drive for Minardi in 1989

Har1MAS1415 · Post by **Har1MAS1415** » 07 Dec 2023, 16:41

Outside chance or not, Roberto Ravaglia being linked to Coloni for 1989 has got to be one of the most outlandish rumours in F1 History, if not all time.

dr-baker · Post by **dr-baker** » 09 Dec 2023, 20:52

Does anybody on here know much about this?

Har1MAS1415 · Post by **Har1MAS1415** » 13 Dec 2023, 21:12

Har1MAS1415 wrote: ↑06 Dec 2023, 22:54 https://f1nostalgia.blogspot.com/2018/1 ... 0.html?m=1
Fabrizio Giovanardi being expected to race for the Life team in 1990.

Autosport said Fabrizio Giovanardi was expected to test the Life. This is what I get for having to translate Portuguese to English online.

Jarvis · Post by **Jarvis** » 23 Dec 2023, 19:20

There has been some news about Carlos Sainz's contract extension with Ferrari beyond 2024. I think that we are likely to see Carlos with Ferrari in 2025 and a few years more as well.

Post by **mario** » 23 Dec 2023, 19:49

Jarvis wrote: ↑23 Dec 2023, 19:20 There has been some news about Carlos Sainz's contract extension with Ferrari beyond 2024. I think that we are likely to see Carlos with Ferrari in 2025 and a few years more as well.

I have the feeling that perhaps this is a somewhat erroneous place to put this post, given the thread is more about historical unusual proposed moves instead of more contemporary discussions.

As for the discussions over Sainz, well, The Race have suggested that Ferrari have offered Sainz what's termed a "one plus one" deal, where he'd have one year with a guaranteed seat and then an option to extend the contract for one more year after that. Sainz, by contrast, apparently wants a longer term deal - perhaps motivated in part by the claims in La Gazzetta dello Sport that Leclerc signed a five year deal with Ferrari (although it's claimed that, from 2027 onwards, there is a performance based clause that would allow both sides to terminate the deal before it expires in 2029).

It's plausible to me that we'll see some sort of agreement reached between them - Ferrari seem keen enough on Sainz, even if Vasseur seems keen to build the team around Leclerc, as Sainz has generally been a solid enough points scorer over time.