mario wrote: ↑19 Jan 2025, 23:16
Additionally, although there was talk of significant backing from Beatrice Foods, I wonder how much of that money did actually end up going to the team in the end. Whilst the company was sold at the very end of 1986 to KKR, Jim Dutt, the CEO who signed the deal with the FORCE F1 team, was forced out of his position in August 1985.
It does seem that the team was at least flush with cash at first. But building the factory, setting up FORCE, coming to the weird arrangement with March over Newey, and essentially designing 2 cars at once (the THL1 only appeared at Monza, but was carried over in '86 while the THL2 was being built and tested.) all combined to drain the team quickly. Plus Jones was given a healthy retainer.
MyHamsterRacedAnOnyx wrote: ↑20 Jan 2025, 01:27
Interesting to note that after Patrick Tambay had to miss the '86 Detroit Grand Prix due to an accident, Eddie Cheever substituted. Haas' original choice was Mario Andretti since he was driving for Haas in Champcar.Mario declined,so they tried-but failed to get-a superlicence for Michael Andretti to drive instead!
It really is unbelievable how many brushes with major names the team had. F1's own version of "6 degrees of Kevin Bacon."
Professional Historian/Semi-Retired Drag Racer/Whiskey Enthusiast
"When I was still racing, I never once thought 'Oh, I can't damage the car here'." - Jolyn Palmer
Me either Jolyn, maybe that's why we're both out, eh?
Was watching the '94 British GP some time ago and noticed a big ol Marlboro sign facing down the hangar straight despite tobacco advertising being a no-no (I assume anyway, all the other cars had their stuff censored), what's the deal?
noiceinmydrink wrote: ↑29 Jan 2025, 10:54
Was watching the '94 British GP some time ago and noticed a big ol Marlboro sign facing down the hangar straight despite tobacco advertising being a no-no (I assume anyway, all the other cars had their stuff censored), what's the deal?
Perhaps the UK had a similar version of the regs the US adopted not long after? In the US, only one entity could be sponsored by a cigarette brand. Its why famously Ferrari had to drop their Marlboro logos, while "Marlboro Team Penske" did not. Winston went from sponsoring NASCAR, NHRA, and IHRA, to just NASCAR.
Professional Historian/Semi-Retired Drag Racer/Whiskey Enthusiast
"When I was still racing, I never once thought 'Oh, I can't damage the car here'." - Jolyn Palmer
Me either Jolyn, maybe that's why we're both out, eh?
Wallio wrote: ↑29 Jan 2025, 15:00
Perhaps the UK had a similar version of the regs the US adopted not long after? In the US, only one entity could be sponsored by a cigarette brand. Its why famously Ferrari had to drop their Marlboro logos, while "Marlboro Team Penske" did not. Winston went from sponsoring NASCAR, NHRA, and IHRA, to just NASCAR.
Ah right, that makes sense then - I had no idea that was a thing even in the US!
