Retro Silly Season

[Theunser]

I've been reading the 'Almost Moves' thread on Autosport Forum and I found some interesting things.

But still I have some questions about some possible driver transfers:

1, Barrichello had an offer in 1992 from an F1 team.
Does anyone know which was that? And also what teams he talked to about a potential debut for 1993?
(I know about Tyrrell, and obviously Jordan)

2, What was Modena's other options for 1992?

3, Did Mauricio Gugelmin ever had a chance to move to a top team, and what other offers he had in 1992 instead of Jordan?

4, Eddie Irvine was interesting for many F1 teams at the end of 1993. One was Jordan. But which were the others?

[S griffin]

This is a thread that could be very interesting

[Theunser]

But to not jusk ask here's some i came across:
1, Ivan Capelli, after he gave his seat to the pay driver Wendlinger at March, was mentioned to replace Gianni Morbidelli at Minardi, because the italian left to replace the sacked Prost.

2, Also Capelli got an offer from Briatore to replace the injured Nannini at Benetton

3, Prost was in talks with Jordan for 1992 seat

4, Erik Comas and Bertrand Gachot were a candidate to replace Hakkinen at Lotus.

5, Pierluigi Martini was in line for March in 1993.

6, Hill got a two-year offer from Ligier for 1993, but instead choosed to wait if he can have a chance at Williams.

[Theunser]

Martin Brundle was offered a Lotus seat for 1985
Arnoux was also a possibility for Lotus in 1983 when they had Renault engines

[S griffin]

Capelli and Cheever were on the initial 1986 entry list for Osella and Tyrrell respectively, before the seats went to Ghinzani and Streiff

[Theunser]

Cheever was also linked with Benetton.
And If Streiff couldn't have the Tyrrell seat he would be at Minardi. Rothengatter and Dumfries were linked with Tyrrell as well.

[Theunser]

And if Alfa Romeo stayed the would ran Nannini

[chillibowl]

Welcome to the forum.

In 93(?) Ron Denis apparently offered Schumi and seat.

[Theunser]

Schumi had a contract to Sauber as well for 1993.
And Mr Benetton said at the begin of '92 that Prost comes to his team, Schumacher moves to Ferrari to replace Alesi and the frenchman is moving to Jordan.
I think that Dennis talk was for a '94 seat.

Thanks for welcoming!

[S griffin]

Brundle actually signed a contract with Williams for 93, before Frank decided instead to go with Hill. Just imagine how different it would have been with Martin in a Williams and Damon in a Ligier

[Theunser]

But I belive they signed something with Hakkinen as well. But because they were late on the entry and they needed every team to accept a petition or something that they can race in the season. And Lotus boss Peter Collins said he only accept it if they don't race Hakkinen.
(Sorry for bad english)

[Theunser]

But what would be if Mansell decides not to return in 1991 from his retirement?
Boutsen could have stayed. But I read an interview on GrandPrix.com with Ivan Capelli where he says he has talks with Frank Williams. Or maybe a comeback for Piquet?

[S griffin]

Doubt they would have kept Boutsen, he was never really felt part of the team. Williams really wanted a number 1 driver in the team again, which is why they caved in to Mansell’s demands. I think they were rumours of Senna going there. Of course they did have an option on Alesi, before Jean decided to go with Ferrari. That was after Nannini was announced as a Ferrari driver, before contract talks broke down

[Theunser]

Nannini was about to sign for Ferrari but he wanted a two-year contract and Ferrari was only willing to give him one. So he signed with Benetton. And that was the moment when they approached Alesi who was signed by Williams.

[Theunser]

Other candidates for Ferrari seat was Capelli and Modena

[Theunser]

Talking about Boutsen, his options for 1991 was:
Brabham,Ligier,Arrows/Footwork,Larrousse Lola

[Theunser]

Christian Fittipaldi had an offer for 1995 but he rejected it to race in IndyCars.
He has been mentioned to Mclaren before and was talking with Sauber and Tyrrell.
He could have achieved much more in F1

[S griffin]

There’s been a few who haven’t raced in F1 who have come close to doing that

Rob Wilson almost got a Tyrrell drive in the 81 Belgian GP, depending on whether or not Alboreto could get sponsorship for the drive. He did, so Wilson missed out

John Nielsen missed out on a Tyrrell drive in 85 replacing the late Stefan Belloff due to lack of funding

Marco Greco was supposed to drive for Eurobrun in 1990, but missed out

Dave Coyne was a strong contender to replace the imprisoned Gachot at Jordan for the 1991 Belgian GP (as was Stefan Johansson), but EJ was convinced by Merc to take Schumi

Giuseppe Bugatti was going to drive for Fondmetal at the 92 Portuguese GP, but the team pulled out of F1

Finally Pacific tried to get their test driver Oliver Gavin into a race seat for the 1995 Australian GP, but was refused a superlicence despite being British F3 champion. Yet the FIA had no problem with the same team earlier running Giovanni Lavaggi and Jean-Denis Deletraz, both drivers with more money than talent. Go figure...

[Theunser]

Also we can mention Jan Lammers. He missed a lot of good rides. Lotus,Tyrrell,Brabham,Renault,Ligier....

[Theunser]

Gabriele Tarquini had an offer from Lotus for 1991.
The seat eventually went to someone called Mika Hakkinen.

[S griffin]

Patrese came close to going to Ferrari for 1982 before they decided to stick with Pironi

Stefan Johansson was originally planned to do the final two races for March in 82

[Theunser]

I'm wondering if Hill didn't get the Williams seat nor the Ligier one, where would he ended up?
Lotus maybe..or even Tyrrell maybe Jordan, but I couldn't find anything about it

[Theunser]

Back to Rob Wilson, he was approached by Fittipaldi as well in '81 to replace Emmo

[S griffin]

Barrichello came close to racing a Caterham at final round of 2014

[Theunser]

Oh yeah, and he was mentioned to Sauber before 2014.
I like him, he has real passion for racing.