Grand Prix Rejects

Well i was thinking a few of our rejected drivers did have actually some great test results in their past.
as expample Takagi, in a test in Silverstone in 1998 he drove the 2nd fast time


And maybe the driver profiles can be updated.
Because probably a few remember that Jean-Louis Schlesser tested in 1993 the Sauber-Ilmor


Andrea Montermini back in 1992 for Larrousse


Marco Apicella Minardi 1987 + 1992



Paul Belmondo Larrousse Lambo 1992 and Benetton 1993

Just out of interest how did Jean-Louis Schlesser do in his test? Do you know the reason why he didn't race for Sauber in 1993 or 1994 (after wendlinger accident).

I ask because I was think he might have been another candidate for F1 reject who could have been great?

ibsey wrote:Just out of interest how did Jean-Louis Schlesser do in his test? Do you know the reason why he didn't race for Sauber in 1993 or 1994 (after wendlinger accident).

I ask because I was think he might have been another candidate for F1 reject who could have been great?

His test with Sauber was something of a one-off in 1992 (not 1993); I think he wasn't really related to the team. In any case, I doubt they would have really wanted to employ someone on his forties and with only two F1 entries next to him (in 1983 and 1988, qualifying only for a single one).

Interestingly, he did some serious test for Williams as early as 1985...

Phoenix wrote:

ibsey wrote:Just out of interest how did Jean-Louis Schlesser do in his test? Do you know the reason why he didn't race for Sauber in 1993 or 1994 (after wendlinger accident).

I ask because I was think he might have been another candidate for F1 reject who could have been great?

His test with Sauber was something of a one-off in 1992 (not 1993); I think he wasn't really related to the team. In any case, I doubt they would have really wanted to employ someone on his forties and with only two F1 entries next to him (in 1983 and 1988, qualifying only for a single one).

Interestingly, he did some serious test for Williams as early as 1985...

Interesting stuff, thanks for the info Phoenix. I suspect he got the Sauber test due to his Sports Car association with Mercedes.

I didn't know he tested for Williams in 1985 either. Do you, by any chance know how he got on? i.e how quick was he & was he considered for a race drive at any point?

As far as I know, he was never considered for a race seat before the 1988 Italian GP. But, as his F1R profile says:

[Frank Williams] appreciated the Frenchman's skill and technical feedback. From 1983 to 1987, Schlesser was an integral part of Williams' testing efforts, and played a vital role in the development of their active suspension system that made its race debut in 1987.

Yes it was 1 race nothing more.
The 1993 test was just a test, like laffite also had in the 90's with Ligier.

Here some more pics + info

David Brabham 1996


Katsumi Yamamoto, was supposed to be the pacific driver for 1995, but his superlicence was reffused so for me he is also a Rejected


David kennedy Tested the Jordan 199 back in 1999


Andrea Montermini tested for ferrari in 1991 what if what if !


Eric van de Poele tested in 1993 for Tyrrell but sad enough no contract =( what if !


Perry McCarthy tested for footwork at silverstone 7th july 1991 he was pretty quick.


Gregor Foitek tested the Arrows A11 at silverstone in 1989 he wasn't quick

I'm guessing people knew about this one...


Roberto Moreno, 88 - 89 Interim Ferrari?

And yes I've just realised, Moreno is not a certified Reject.

But Anthony Davidson Is...


Many of the Friday Testers with his own personal Number.

Is that the Ferrari CART from 1986-87???

David AGS wrote:Is that the Ferrari CART from 1986-87???

No, the Ferrari 637 (the chassis designation for the CART project) looked quite different to that car - it was much more tightly packaged, especially around the gearbox and the top of the engine. Here's a photo from Forix:


In fact, that test car Moreno is in looks very strange - it is a lot more bulbous than any of the 1980's turbo charged Ferrari's. Moreover, it lacks the periscope intakes that most of the turbo cars used to feed the turbo charger and intercoolers, instead going for those NACA ducts behind the drivers head.

Phoenix wrote:As far as I know, he was never considered for a race seat before the 1988 Italian GP. But, as his F1R profile says:

[Frank Williams] appreciated the Frenchman's skill and technical feedback. From 1983 to 1987, Schlesser was an integral part of Williams' testing efforts, and played a vital role in the development of their active suspension system that made its race debut in 1987.

Yep it was that race and he was on the lead !!! before he crashed

mario wrote:

David AGS wrote:Is that the Ferrari CART from 1986-87???

No, the Ferrari 637 (the chassis designation for the CART project) looked quite different to that car - it was much more tightly packaged, especially around the gearbox and the top of the engine. Here's a photo from Forix:


In fact, that test car Moreno is in looks very strange - it is a lot more bulbous than any of the 1980's turbo charged Ferrari's. Moreover, it lacks the periscope intakes that most of the turbo cars used to feed the turbo charger and intercoolers, instead going for those NACA ducts behind the drivers head.

That Ferrari Moreno drives in the photo happens to be the F88/A - an interim car used to be the test mule for the V12 engine as well as the semi-automatic gearbox Ferrari would introduce in 1989. If you look at it, it looks quite similar to the 640, but it's more bulky.

f1-gast wrote:

Phoenix wrote:As far as I know, he was never considered for a race seat before the 1988 Italian GP. But, as his F1R profile says:

[Frank Williams] appreciated the Frenchman's skill and technical feedback. From 1983 to 1987, Schlesser was an integral part of Williams' testing efforts, and played a vital role in the development of their active suspension system that made its race debut in 1987.

Yep it was that race and he was on the lead !!! before he crashed

Not exactly - he was trundling at the back of the field, then Senna came to lap him and he mistakenly punted him off the lead.

Then i received the wrong information, or i understood it wrong.

Phoenix wrote:That Ferrari Moreno drives in the photo happens to be the F88/A - an interim car used to be the test mule for the V12 engine as well as the semi-automatic gearbox Ferrari would introduce in 1989. If you look at it, it looks quite similar to the 640, but it's more bulky.

I am aware, 1989 season was the first time I was aware of the season "starting" and that rollhoop area was rather striking, and having observed (recently) it is the "John Barnard 80s Rollover" desgin, look at his McLarens they have the exact same thing.

Those Air intakes were too small. For mexico they went for the single on-top air intake, and then Barnard went to Benetton where the exact same shape of rollhoop on the 90-91 Benettons.