What If?

[Waris]

And yes, I did just reply to my own thread. I'm a sad person, OK?

It's alright, Shinji. I thought what you wrote was interesting.

[Jeroen Krautmeir]

Bullshit begins here.

What if Stefan Bellof hadn't tried to overtake Ickx at Eau Rouge?

He would eventually have won that race.

In 1986, he would have gotten that Ferrari drive. He would have been challenging Senna for 4th that year, I think. In 1987, I think he could have been challenging Senna once more, this time for third. But the Ferrari wasn't very reliable, so I think he would have retired from at least half the races, thus putting him, 6th? In 1988, he would definitely have finished third. In 1989, I personally think Williams would have signed him instead of Boutsen. Bellof gets involved in a three way conflict between Prost and Senna. Unfortunately, the Williams isn't as good as the McLaren, and he isn't able to keep up with them at some tracks. Bellof would probably have gotten into the fight in 1990, though the Williams was not as close in terms of performance. In 1991, Mansell retires, and goes off to IndyCar. That same year, Bellof challenges Senna until the very end, and is eventually let down by reliability. In 1992, he dominates the championship, and wins the title once more in 1993. Prost refuses to join Williams due to Bellof's presence, for fear of another Senna scenario. To the shock of the paddock, Williams swap Bellof for Senna. Brundle doesn't get the McLaren seat. Bellof comes third in the championship. Tired of F1, he moves to IndyCar, with Chip Ganassi. On road courses (as you like to call them), he dominates, but isn't exactly reliable. This, coupled with his inability to come to grips with ovals, means Villeneuve narrowly beats him to the title. He becomes champion in 1996, winning 8 out of 16 races, including 2 ovals. In 1997, he loses out to Zanardi after a massive crash at the Marlboro 500. He tries his luck in 1998, but the crash has taken a lot from him, and finishes the season with just 1 win and 3 3rds. He retires soon after.

What if Martin Brundle had beaten Ayrton Senna in F3 in 1983?

I personally think Tyrrell would have still signed him. But I'll go with something different. Brabham sign him for 1984, but he is contractually number 2 in the team. His equipment isn't exactly on par with Piquet's, but puts up some good performances. He, along with Piquet, suffer from awful reliability. Piquet gets two wins, one second, one third and one sixth. Brundle gets two seconds and two thirds. Brabham beat Lotus in the 1984 WCC for third. Piquet dismisses Brundle as he is 'too good to be in the team'. Ligier pick him up to drive alongside Laffite. He outscores Laffite, and gets two second places as his best finishes. Guy Ligier is pleased, and retains the lineup for 1986. Brundle gets a best finish of 2nd, at Monaco, and picks up his first pole position at Detroit. Unfortunately, his engine blows up whilst dueling with Senna - F3 style. Laffite's crash dents team morale, and despite a great season (albeit still no wins), he's released by the team. McLaren come to the rescue, and sign him instead of Stefan Johansson. Once again, his best results are limited to second places, but he does well, and Prost hails him as a 'good mate'. The next season however, is replaced by none other than Senna. Brundle goes to Lotus to team up with his old teammate, Piquet, though the Brazilian is less than happy. Brundle beats Piquet by two points in the WDC, and Lotus are happy to keep him. Piquet, however, threatens to leave if Brundle doesn't leave. Lotus however respond by firing Piquet, who responds by launching a 6 month attack via the media. Lotus are more than happy to get rid of their grumpy, overpaid driver. Brundle fails to score a podium, but considering the car, his 5 4th places are fantastic. He's paired with Martin Donnelly for 1990, but the car is awful, with both drivers nearly losing their lives in horrific accidents. Donnelly's career is in ruins after Jerez, while Brundle is involved in a spectacular accident at the next race at Suzuka. His rear wing fails while entering 130R, and the car is destroyed, with only the driver cell intact. Although unconscious, he's alive, and prepares for 1991. Slamming the Lotus 102 as a 'deathtrap', he buys out his contract, and joins Brabham. Sadly, the car is crap, and Brundle still suffers from his injuries. However, in 1992, he finally gets back into good machinery with Benetton, as teammate to Michael Schumacher. He is unable to get back up to speed immediately, and retires from the first four races all due to driver error. He finally finds his ground when the cavalcade arrive in San Marino, and his best result would be a second in Italy. Despite a good showing, Benetton release him, but offer a way out in the form of Ligier. Paired with good friend Blundell, he scores good results, with a second in Hungary being his best showing. He returns to McLaren in 1994. Despite being bitter enemies, Brundle is heartbroken at Senna's death, and dedicates his 2nd place in Monaco to him. The Brit would soon be another victim of F1's darkest season, however, when his brakes fail to engage properly at the Hockenheim. A massive crash occurs, and his life is narrowly saved. He is unable to race again. Joins Murray Walker at BBC, becoming an integral part of British weekends.

[Phoenix]

What if Stefan Bellof hadn't tried to overtake Ickx at Eau Rouge?

He would eventually have won that race.

In 1986, he would have gotten that Ferrari drive. He would have been challenging Senna for 4th that year, I think.

Nah, the Ferrari was too bad that year for that.

What if Martin Brundle had beaten Ayrton Senna in F3 in 1983?

I personally think Tyrrell would have still signed him. But I'll go with something different. Brabham sign him for 1984, but he is contractually number 2 in the team. His equipment isn't exactly on par with Piquet's, but puts up some good performances. He, along with Piquet, suffer from awful reliability. Piquet gets two wins, one second, one third and one sixth. Brundle gets two seconds and two thirds. Brabham beat Lotus in the 1984 WCC for third. Piquet dismisses Brundle as he is 'too good to be in the team'. Ligier pick him up to drive alongside Laffite. He outscores Laffite, and gets two second places as his best finishes. Guy Ligier is pleased, and retains the lineup for 1986. Brundle gets a best finish of 2nd, at Monaco, and picks up his first pole position at Detroit. Unfortunately, his engine blows up whilst dueling with Senna - F3 style. Laffite's crash dents team morale, and despite a great season (albeit still no wins), he's released by the team. McLaren come to the rescue, and sign him instead of Stefan Johansson. Once again, his best results are limited to second places, but he does well, and Prost hails him as a 'good mate'. The next season however, is replaced by none other than Senna. Brundle goes to Lotus to team up with his old teammate, Piquet, though the Brazilian is less than happy. Brundle beats Piquet by two points in the WDC, and Lotus are happy to keep him. Piquet, however, threatens to leave if Brundle doesn't leave. Lotus however respond by firing Piquet, who responds by launching a 6 month attack via the media. Lotus are more than happy to get rid of their grumpy, overpaid driver. Brundle fails to score a podium, but considering the car, his 5 4th places are fantastic. He's paired with Martin Donnelly for 1990, but the car is awful, with both drivers nearly losing their lives in horrific accidents. Donnelly's career is in ruins after Jerez, while Brundle is involved in a spectacular accident at the next race at Suzuka. His rear wing fails while entering 130R, and the car is destroyed, with only the driver cell intact. Although unconscious, he's alive, and prepares for 1991. Slamming the Lotus 102 as a 'deathtrap', he buys out his contract, and joins Brabham. Sadly, the car is crap, and Brundle still suffers from his injuries. However, in 1992, he finally gets back into good machinery with Benetton, as teammate to Michael Schumacher. He is unable to get back up to speed immediately, and retires from the first four races all due to driver error. He finally finds his ground when the cavalcade arrive in San Marino, and his best result would be a second in Italy. Despite a good showing, Benetton release him, but offer a way out in the form of Ligier. Paired with good friend Blundell, he scores good results, with a second in Hungary being his best showing. He returns to McLaren in 1994. Despite being bitter enemies, Brundle is heartbroken at Senna's death, and dedicates his 2nd place in Monaco to him. The Brit would soon be another victim of F1's darkest season, however, when his brakes fail to engage properly at the Hockenheim. A massive crash occurs, and his life is narrowly saved. He is unable to race again. Joins Murray Walker at BBC, becoming an integral part of British weekends.

So still no wins for him?

[James1978]

If I'd have been in Barrichello's place in Austria 2002, I'd have put my foot down as hard as I could coming out of the last corner and screw the consequences. They seriously would have fired him???? If Ferrari had fired him for that, then they might as well have just ran one car!!!

[James1978]

Actually the plain and simple answer to "What if Barrichello hadn't let Schumacher past at Austria 2002?" is that Luca Badoer would not be a reject, have podiums to his name and maybe a gifted win or two off Schumahcer.

[mario]

What if Lotus had never created ground effect?

Lotus were actually pretty late when it comes to developing ground effects - Jim Chapparal, for example, was experimenting with underfloor tunnels in the early 1960's. Even within the F1 world, Lotus were re-using old ideas - Tony Rudd and Peter Wright tried to create a ground effect car in the late 1960's at BRM, but were hampered by a lack of testing resources.
If they hadn't managed to produce a working car, then perhaps Gordon Murray might have been the first to create a workable ground effect car - he was certainly aware of what was required, and produced the Brabham "Fan Car" that used similar principals - or Neil Oatley, who was behind the FW07. Mauro Forghieri might also have come across ground effects - unintentionally, he had already taken advantage of ground effects in his sports cars and the early 312T series cars after wind tunnel test modelling.

What if Derek Warwick signed for Williams in 1984?

He might have finally hand an opportunity to win a race for a start (at the end of the season, when Honda made several revisions to the engine, and Williams brought in the FW10B, making it finally capable of winning races). Assuming that he would do a solid job, he might have stayed there for a number of years as a No. 2 driver to Piquet, whilst Mansell would probably have had to drive for Arrows in 1985 (as Lotus had already signed Senna up well before the end of the 1984 season).

What if Michael Schumacher changed his tyres in the 2006 Hungarian GP?

He'd have probably finished in the top five, probably in 5th place once you take into account the time loss for a pit stop, but it would have had negligible material impact on his 2006 campaign (as he finished 13 points behind Alonso that year).

What if Prodrive's customer car attempt was declared legal?

Williams would have fought tooth and nail to have the decision overturned - they'd already been fighting the FIA to close the loopholes that allowed the Toro Rosso customer cars to exist, with some success. Williams would have risked being steadily squeezed out of the points, and potentially into the situation of being either also rans or even bankruptcy (their finances are now better, but they were in financial trouble at the time).
Williams knew that such a decision would hurt them immensely - if McLaren could have sold customer cars, Ferrari might have done the same, so you'd risk a situation where the independent midfield teams could be squeezed out by manufacturer backed customer cars, allowed to be competitive but not too competitive so they didn't show the parent company up too much. See what happened when Toro Rosso beat Red Bull, or Super Aguri beat Honda - in both cases, the parent company sabotaged their customer effort so they wouldn't be shown up again.

What if Irvine didn't take Herbert out of the 1994 Italian GP?

Last one for now - well, even if he could have converted his qualifying position into a points paying finish, I doubt that it would have staved off Team Lotus's demise for much longer. The 112 only really made it to the paper stage, with one or two parts being made, but it would have required a really big slug of cash to turn around their fortunes and pay off their debts.

[FMecha]

What if Jo Schlesser not crashed at the Rouen with his RA302?

[tommykl]

What if Jo Schlesser not crashed at the Rouen with his RA302?

Honda would probably have soldiered on for a few more years, but I'm pretty sure another driver would have crashed a Honda fatally. That car was a total deathtrap.

[Aerospeed]

What if Barrichello hadn't let Schumacher past at Austria 2002?

He would get the boot at the end of the year, but before his car wouldn be stuck dead in the grid for at least two more races!

...and join up with McLaren in 2003 and win the drivers' championship then.

Now, some questions of my own! If they haven't been answered already

What if Jacques Villeneuve didn't leave Williams after 1998?

What if Michael Andretti did a decent job in the McLaren? (At least keeping on pace with more podiums, and a LOT less retirements)

What if BAR actually did what they promised and actually won a few races?

What if Ayrton Senna pulled out of the 1994 San Marino GP amid fears from Ratzenberger's crash?

[James1978]

Another "what if" twist to the team orders at Austria 2002 thing; what if that ex-Mercedes employee hadn't ran on the track at Hockenheim 2000 (and a McLaren had therefore won the race)?

Would Rubens seriously have been expected to give up his FIRST win?

[Aerospeed]

Another "what if" twist to the team orders at Austria 2002 thing; what if that ex-Mercedes employee hadn't ran on the track at Hockenheim 2000 (and a McLaren had therefore won the race)?

Would Rubens seriously have been expected to give up his FIRST win?

Nothing much occurs championship wise, though it is much closer. Although Rubens would have to wait until 2002 for a win...

And Marshalls wouldn't have a plan to take care of runaways on the track during Britain 2003!

[Klon]

What if Jacques Villeneuve didn't leave Williams after 1998?

Well, being paired with an upcoming Ralf Schumacher in 1999 would force Jacques Villeneuve to up his game especially with the threat of Juan Pablo Montoya in the back of his head. For some reason I could imagine Villeneuve winning that chaotic 1999 European Grand Prix. 2000 with BMW power the duel Ralf vs. Jacques turns out to be extremely close, both virtually equal in terms of performance. Unfortunately for Villeneuve though, he has to go because BMW insist on having a German driver in form of Schumacher. With BAR either not existing or focused on another drive, I assume Jacques would have gone to the new Toyota works effort, being with the team until 2004 achieving slightly better results than Salo and Panis did. Irony strikes as Villeneuve is replaced at Toyota with Ralf Schumacher in 2005. The rest of Villeneuve's career would've been pretty much like real life.

What if Ayrton Senna pulled out of the 1994 San Marino GP amid fears from Ratzenberger's crash?

That's my favourite: continuing his troubles from the first two races, Senna fails to win the championship from Schumacher. Losing both interest in Formula 1 and that certain edge you need to have to be on top, he quickly joins Ferrari in 1995, replacing his friend Gerhard Berger who chooses retirement (back then). Seeing as the 412T2 is not quite up to the job of winning the title, Senna fails to win a single race (unlike Jean Alesi, though). His season is pretty much a carbon copy of Prost's last Ferrari season including being released after making very critical comments about the team. Therefore the European Grand Prix of 1995 prooves to be the last race of Ayrton Senna's career. Nicola Larini gets a run in the Ferrari but after failing to score points in both Japanese races, Gerhard Berger un-retires for the race in Adalaide, confirming a Benetton contract for 1996 (in a driver swap with Schumacher) at the same time. Impressively, Berger manages to battle Hill for the victory up to the end of the race, thereby "robbing" Gianni Morbidelli of his only podium position. Being bored with his life, Senna sees the success of his nemesis' team in 1997. Senna therefore decides to build his own team for the 2000 season. Senna Grand Prix turns out to be for BMW Williams what Sauber was for Ferrari ... only less successful. With only an eight or ninth place at the best result, BMW decides to pull the plug on Senna GP at the end of 2001. Today, Senna would write columns for some sport magazines and share his "opinions" with anyone who wants to hear them or not. Most F1 fans would react to Senna's media comments with the same reaction reserved for Bernie Ecclestone, namely "could you please shut the bathplug up for a minute or so?"

[Aerospeed]

1. What if Mark Webber stayed on as a Renault test driver instead of getting a seat at Minardi?
2. What if Phoenix Finance was to compete in 02?
3. What if Montrevidi was to race in 91?
4. What if Craig Lowndes did have a successful year in F3000?
5. What if Ryan Briscoe got a race seat at Toyota or Jordan?
6. What if Minardi/Jordan/Sauber were to compete still in 06?
7. What if Gary Brabham stayed on as a test driver for Bennetton?
8. What if Mastercard lola was to compete for the whole of 97?
9. What if Kubica was killed in that accident he had in Canada 07?
10.What if Lifes v12 engines turned out to be the best in the field?

I numbered them due to simplicity (and I didn't do them all!)

1. With Webber at Minardi, the two Minardis are driven by Alex Yoong and Justin Wilson. After Arrows folds, Heinz Harald Frentzen replaces Alex Yoong for the rest of the season.
Webber does not do much testing for Renault, but is somehow retained as test driver in 2003 and 2004. When Trulli leaves Renault with three races to go, Webber is named replacement. However, he only obtains a best finish of seventh place, and is let go after that, to be replaced by Fisichella. Webber goes off to Jordan in 2005, his best finish being third in the nonsensical USGP. That didn't matter, as Jordan folded after 2005, and Webber becomes test driver for BMW Sauber. When Villeneuve got injured, Webber was the original replacement, but after his first race (Hungary), finishing in eighth, he gets injured in a bike accident, leaving Robert Kubica to replace him. Kubica scores 2nd within two races and as a result Kubica stayed in the race seat. Furious, Webber leaves BMW Sauber and joins up with former teammate Jacques Villeneuve in the Le Mans 24 Hours in 2007, along with Marc Gené. They win the race.

4. Lowndes' time came in 1997, with RSM Marko, getting second in the drivers' championship to Ricardo Zonta, out of all people. He enters F1 in 1998, with Minardi. It was not pretty. He was fired after 1998 and raced in other series.

5. Ryan Briscoe, after some test sessions with Toyota in 2004, is named third driver in 2005, but Briscoe gets disgruntled, so he joins Jordan mid-season; AFTER the USGP. Needless to say, Briscoe does not dissappoint, getting two sevenths and one sixth. He impresses the new Toro Rosso team, and gets a full-season drive with that team. It was not pretty, but somehow Briscoe gets a sixth in the otherwise pointless (har har) season. Toro Rosso resigns him for 2007, but gets replaced mid-season by Scott Speed, the third driver, who is eager to drive in F1. It was not pretty.

9. A state funeral is held in Poland for the first driver killed in action since 1994. Heidfeld, his teammate, is very distraught, and it showed as his preformance went WAY down. Kubica's replacement is Markus Winkelhock. However, he does not impress, despite getting fifth in the rainy European GP. It was hard replacing a dead guy; just ask David Coulthard or Andrea Montermini (though he only lasted one race in 1994 before being replaced by Gounon). The FIA discover that there was a dead concrete wall not covered with a tyre wall, or some protective measure, and Montreal is kicked off the schedule. However, in 2010, a new street grand prix in Quebec City, modelled by Hermann Tilke, comes into the schedule. The fans do not like the circuit, and is worse than Valencia and Bahrain combined. Winkelhock does not have a drive in 2008, citing sponsorship issues.

10. With Brabham crushing everybody by over five seconds in pre-qualifying and nearly setting pole, the Life team adds a second car within a race, hiring Bruno Giacomelli. The two drive to great results; however, the two drivers' inexperience (Giacomelli had not raced since 1993!), sub-par aerodynamics and more bad luck subdues the Life team to seconds and thirds, though Giacomelli scores a shock win in Hockenheim. Oddly enough, there is hardly and sponsorships, and despite getting third in the constructors', Life folds at the end of the season, citing sponsorship issues. However, Ferrari fires most of the pit crew, replaces it with the former Life crew, and Ferrari wins the constructors' championship in 1991. Prost and Mansell have nothing to complain about. Brabham joins Benetton despite getting numerous offers from the Brabham team, and Benetton gets third in the constructors'. Brabham eventually wins the drivers' championship in 1994, but Brabham joins McLaren in 1995 and his career was never the same, only obtaining one podium within 1995-1996, and is replaced by Coulthard in 1997. After taking a one-year break, in 1998 Brabham recreates the Brabham team, hiring himself and Vincenso Sospiri. Sospiri would go on to success, Brabham would not and would retire in 1999, although he would keep running the team until it's demise in 2002.
Giacomelli, after the Life success, joins the new Jordan team, with limited success, but retires shortly after.

And no, Nigel Mansell does not win a drivers' championship. Neither does Prost (past 1991). But Alesi nearly does in 1992, Capelli nearly does in 1993, and Alesi joins Williams in 1994 filling in the void left by Alain Prost. His replacement, Larini, wins races in 1994, but loses to - yep, Gary Brabham, but Larini wins the championship in 1995.

[FMecha]

What if MasterCard Lola survived in the 1997 season?
What if the Subaru-engined Coloni able to pre-qualify the 1990 season?

[DanielPT]

What if MasterCard Lola survived in the 1997 season?

The would went on DNQing that year. In 98 they would improve, qualifying, but still be last at pretty much every race. In 99 and with yet another rubbish year, MasterCard would quit F1 while Lola would be searching for a new sponsor until almost the beginning of the 00 season. They would ultimately fail to do so and would close their doors bringing a hard fought but fruitless effort in F1 to an end.

What if the Subaru-engined Coloni able to pre-qualify the 1990 season?

Unfortunately they would fail to qualify for every race...

[FMecha]

What if Barrichello hadn't let Schumacher past at Austria 2002?

He would get the boot at the end of the year, but before his car wouldn be stuck dead in the grid for at least two more races!

...and join up with McLaren in 2003 and win the drivers' championship then.

Now, some questions of my own! If they haven't been answered already

What if Jacques Villeneuve didn't leave Williams after 1998?

What if Michael Andretti did a decent job in the McLaren? (At least keeping on pace with more podiums, and a LOT less retirements)

What if BAR actually did what they promised and actually won a few races?

What if Ayrton Senna pulled out of the 1994 San Marino GP amid fears from Ratzenberger's crash?

1. Villeneuve may struggle further, and making scatching comments about how slow the car, subsequently getting sacked by them.
2. Andretti contract may be extended, and Brundle won't fill his position the next year
3. BAR will make further PR stunts. Seriously, continue with the Supertecs.
4. Williams test driver Coulthard will go to race, subsequently getting killed there.

[Aerond]

What if Senna and Prost didn't get together in Japan 89 and 90?
What if pole was on the racing line of the 1990 Japanese GP?

To the first question, it depends on your angle.IMO, their relationship was very worn by Japan 89 and in terms of their relationship it wouldn´t make much difference I suppose. The same goes again for 1990. In 1993 their relationship wasn´t very good but it was better anyway. If you´re referring to the world championship battle, Senna would have probably won in 1989 hadn´t Prost turned his car into Senna´s, and Prost in 1990, as it would´ve been very hard to Senna to pass Prost in Japan again for a 3rd year in a row, but, who knows? There were still a whole race to go.

About the 2nd question, then Senna would have retained the lead at the first corner and Prost race would´ve been over by then.

[Aerond]

What if MasterCard Lola survived in the 1997 season?

I think that´s not the question. The question would be "What if MasterCard hadn´t pushed Lola to enter in 1997 and waited for 1998 as originally planned?"

[golic_2004]

What if Francois Cevert had not had the fatal crash at Watkins Glen?
He could very well have won the world championship the following year.

[FMecha]

What if MasterCard Lola survived in the 1997 season?

I think that´s not the question. The question would be "What if MasterCard hadn't pushed Lola to enter in 1997 and waited for 1998 as originally planned?"

That way, their (Lola's) chassis would be called T98/30 and will be equipped with Al Meiling-designed, V10 engine. Results was better for a while, but in 1999 the car began to lost pace.

[DanielPT]

What if Francois Cevert had not had the fatal crash at Watkins Glen?
He could very well have won the world championship the following year.

He was certainly the natural successor to Sir Jackie Stewart. He was set to be the leader for Tyrrell the year after. While he could've fought with side by side with Fittipaldi, I think he would've come second in that fight. It is true that Cevert loss was huge and that Tyrrell were never serious contenders again. Was it coincidence? Who knows, perhaps with Cevert on board they could've remained a strong team for a bit longer, but since he wasn't in the same league as Stewart, Tyrrell would've had a similar downfall...

[WeirdKerr]

Ford didnt sell the operation to Red Bull and just closed jaguar...?

[Aerospeed]

Ford didnt sell the operation to Red Bull and just closed jaguar...?

Coulthard retires in 2005, Liuzzi never comes into F1, neither does Klien, Doornbos, Webber goes to Renault and follows Piquet's misfortunes, Vettel stays at BMW Sauber and becomes another Heidfeld, and Piquet Jr gets his first race drive at Sauber in 2010.

Oh, and Toro Rosso doesn't exist. So Speed doesn't exist, Bourdais drives at Toyota in 2008, 2009, then get fired. Buemi is at Force India, and Alguersuari has yet to enter F1.

Which means Minardi poofs as well...

[ADx_Wales]

What if we knew what Deletraz was doing?
What if we were allowed to say Zsolt Baumgartner's name?

Serious

What if Ford decided not to rebrand the Stewart team as Jaguar, and just leave it as Stewart-Ford?

[TomWazzleshaw]

What if Ford decided not to rebrand the Stewart team as Jaguar, and just leave it as Stewart-Ford?

If Stewart and co were left to run the team unhindered with factory support then they would have eventually made their way to the front and maybe, just maybe Barrichello would never have gone to Ferrari and might have won a championship with Stewart.

[DanielPT]

What if Ford decided not to rebrand the Stewart team as Jaguar, and just leave it as Stewart-Ford?

If Stewart and co were left to run the team unhindered with factory support then they would have eventually made their way to the front and maybe, just maybe Barrichello would never have gone to Ferrari and might have won a championship with Stewart.

Just has Stewart hits the front of the grid, they would sign a certain M. Schumacher to guide them to victory. Barrichello would stay in the shadow...

[Jeroen Krautmeir]

What if Ford decided not to rebrand the Stewart team as Jaguar, and just leave it as Stewart-Ford?

I'll assume that Ford simply made Stewart the works team, with the two Scots still at the helm.

Just before the 1999 Canadian Grand Prix, an announcement is made. Ford Motor Company will purchase a large stake in Stewart Grand Prix, with Jackie and Paul Stewart remaining in full control of the team. Although the initial intention was to retain the lineup of Barrichello and Herbert, it soon becomes evident that Barrichello is looking forward to a Ferrari drive, and that Herbert just doesn't have it anymore, despite the win at the Nurburgring. The Stewarts announce that Barrichello will be leaving for Ferrari, with Rubens confidently predicting that he will be 'winning many races, and eventually the championship'. Herbert retires, leaving two empty seats. Luciano Burti is promoted to a race seat, while Stéphane Sarrazin is 'loaned' from Prost. The SF4 is aerodynamically, one of the best on the field, but Ford's brand new CR-2 engine proves to be disappointing, to say the least. Although power is on par with the Ferrari, Mercedes and BMW powerplants, it proves extremely unreliable, with massive blowups often preventing the team from certain podiums. Sarrazin is generally the better of the two, scoring three second places (Monaco, Belgium, Japan) and two third places (Brazil, Hungary), but those were his only five finishes. Burti's record is far worse, finishing only twice, albeit on the podium, with two thirds in Germany and Italy. He writes off 4 cars, in massive accidents, which were all his fault. With 34 points, Stewart finish third in the championship. Jackie Stewart is bullish about 2001, saying; "The SF4 is definitely a very very fast car, unfortunately we had numerous reliability problems, and those need to be fixed. Once it's fully cured, I think there's no doubt we can be challenging for wins more often." The team uses their budget mostly on upgrading the chassis, but despite promises from Ford that the issues with the CR-2 would be fixed, those claims would prove to be false. The 'upgraded' engine is badged the CR-3, but has little if any difference to the CR-2. The season begins well, with Sarrazin notching up third and second at the Aussie and Malaysian GPs. Burti writes off his chassis at both events. In Brazil, Burti collides with Sarrazin while both cars were in podium positions. It's the last straw for Jackie, and he releases the Brazilian, who moves over to Prost to replace Gaston Mazzacane. Without a test driver, Stewart hastily sign Pedro de la Rosa, a free agent. The Spaniard has little testing prior to the San Marino GP, and struggles, qualifying dead last, and spinning out of the race. Following the race, the team give Pedro frequent runs in the SF4B, and in Spain, his home race, he comes home a strong third. Over the course of the season, the SF4B once again shows its potential, but once again, the engine proves to be a bugbear. 61 points, and no wins, is the best the team can manage. Fed up with the situation, Jackie signs a deal with Toyota to run works engines. What was the Ford works team, now becomes the Toyota works team, with the team moving to better facilities in Cologne, Germany. The SF5 is designed to take the new engine, but despite the great power coming from the engine (2nd most powerful that season), the car is aerodynamically flawed, with the team blaming a fault in the windtunnel. Quickly, the team shifts its focus on 2003. There is tension, however. Toyota insist on having Cristiano da Matta drive the car alongside Sarrazin, but Stewart disagrees, instead wanting Anthony Davidson. However, with the bulk of finances coming from Toyota, Stewart eventually succumbs, and da Matta is signed. The SF6 is, sadly, a disappointment. Just two podiums are what the team can boast about, though for once they have a reliable car, which brings in a lot of points finishes. Stewart eventually brings in the towel, and sells the whole team to Toyota, who go on for their quest for mediocrity with huge budgets.

End of bullshit.

[Phoenix]

What if Senna and Prost didn't get together in Japan 89 and 90?
What if pole was on the racing line of the 1990 Japanese GP?

If you´re referring to the world championship battle, Senna would have probably won in 1989 hadn´t Prost turned his car into Senna´s, and Prost in 1990, as it would´ve been very hard to Senna to pass Prost in Japan again for a 3rd year in a row, but, who knows? There were still a whole race to go.

About the 2nd question, then Senna would have retained the lead at the first corner and Prost race would´ve been over by then.

Prost was quite more consistent than Senna in 1989 (or, more to the point, Senna had bad luck with reliability in 1989) and had quite some advantage coming to Suzuka (16 points). I don't really know if Senna could've fought back.

[DOSBoot]

What if Mark Webber hadn't crashed at the 2010 Korean GP?

[FullMetalJack]

What if Mauricio Gugelmin got the Lotus drive in 1986, there were rumours that he could have got the drive.

[Aerospeed]

What if Mauricio Gugelmin got the Lotus drive in 1986, there were rumours that he could have got the drive.

After a successful 1985 season in F3, Lotus pulls off a shocker by signing Mauricio Gugelmin, replacing Eilo de Angelis. Gugelmin spins out in the first three races, but recovers and eventually scores seventh in Monaco, out of all places, and fourth in Belgium. His season improves with a second to Senna in Detroit, a third in France, a pole and third in Britain, and a few more points finishes in Hungary, Austria and Italy before finally finishing third in the finale in Australia. With new Honda engines for 1987, it didn't seem to matter as Gugelmin scored more podiums, but still was in the shadow of Senna. Senna left Lotus in 1988 to join McLaren, and Piquet joined Lotus. Gugelmin, vowing not to be beaten by another countryman, tried desperately hard not to be behind Piquet. It barely worked, with one win and four other podiums, all thirds, but reliability was an issue. In 1989 Lotus used Judd engines and again resigned Gugelmin, being the fourth season with Gugelmin. It wound up being the last as Gugelmin was far behind Piquet in many ways possible, and Gugelmin was sacked from Lotus after 1989. In 1990 he had no choice but to team up AH-GAIN to a countryman, this time Roberto Moreno in EuroBrun. Gugelmin did not escape pre-qualifying, and the team folded with two races to go in the season. In 1991 he got an offer from Jordan, but the seat eventually went to de Cesaris, after Gugelmin claimed that the team would have horrible results like EuroBrun. Gugelmin was dead wrong, and gave up on an F1 seat in 1991, joining F3000 and nearly winning the championship. He eventually joined March F1 in 1992, and although he qualified for every race, he never came close to scoring, with a best finish of tenth, and left F1 to take up Motorcycling.

[Phoenix]

What if Mauricio Gugelmin got the Lotus drive in 1986, there were rumours that he could have got the drive.

Not a chance - JPS wanted a British driver; if they didn't, my guess is that they'd have tried to lure Nelson Piquet or even Keke Rosberg.

[TomWazzleshaw]

...and left F1 to take up Motorcycling.

I for one disagree. I'ld say from that point on he'ld continue as he did in reality and spend an eternity there or there abouts in CART.

[Londoner]

I have some reject-related What If moments here.

What if...Panis's engine finally let go, allowing the Forti of Pedro Diniz into 6th place and scoring a point at the 1995 Australian Grand Prix. What would the future hold for Forti?

What if...Andrea Moda had been allowed to use the old Coloni chassis in 1992.

What if...Gregor Foitek didn't crash at the 1990 Monaco Grand Prix, scoring a point for Onyx which would have unrejectifyed them? What would the future hold for them?

What if...Life actually made it onto the grid?

What if...Simtek continued after the 1995 Monaco Grand Prix.

What if...Pacific had managed to get superlicenses for Katsumi Yamamoto and Oliver Gavin?

[DanielPT]

I have some reject-related What If moments here.

What if...Panis's engine finally let go, allowing the Forti of Pedro Diniz into 6th place and scoring a point at the 1995 Australian Grand Prix. What would the future hold for Forti?

Then, perhaps, Forti would've had the chance to DNQ for Germany 96.

What if...Andrea Moda had been allowed to use the old Coloni chassis in 1992.

If this had happened then perhaps we would not have had the chance of seeing an Andrea Moda trundling along in Monaco for 11 laps and until the inevitable retirement.

What if...Gregor Foitek didn't crash at the 1990 Monaco Grand Prix, scoring a point for Onyx which would have unrejectifyed them? What would the future hold for them?

Then Onyx would not have a profile in this site and no one would remember and care for them!

What if...Life actually made it onto the grid?

Even after an if that second sentence is quite an impossibility!

What if...Simtek continued after the 1995 Monaco Grand Prix.

Then they might have scored 1 point in that year Australian GP going on with yet another barren year in 96 before closing doors.

What if...Pacific had managed to get superlicenses for Katsumi Yamamoto and Oliver Gavin?

Oliver Gavin would like an usual reject, being profiled in this site, while Yamamoto would prove to be a surprise going to Williams in 97 instead of HH Frentzen and snatching championship victory in the nose of Villeneuve to become the first Japanese F1 champion!

[f1-gast]

What if Tuero didn't leave Minardi in 1999 ! and Minardi had the Ferrari engines in 1999 ?

[GroupLotusRenault]

Minardi had the Ferrari engines in 1999 ?

Then Minardi would of had many points finishes and a certain Luca badour would not be a reject

What if Martin Brundle did beat his Benetton team-mate Schumacher i to the win in Spa?

[dr-baker]

What if the HRTs had been allowed to compete in the Australian GP after their double DNQ?

[Bleu]

What if Martin Brundle did beat his Benetton team-mate Schumacher i to the win in Spa?

Brundle was one of the drivers heavily speculated for Williams for 1993. Win would have strenghen his chances there I think. So he and Hill could have swapped places compared to real life for 1993.

[f1-gast]

What if the HRTs had been allowed to compete in the Australian GP after their double DNQ?

Colles would say the famous words "With pain in my romania heart i have to say HRT doesn't exist it's a hoax you can see"