GRAND PRIX NEWSYour monthly source for racing news, rumors and stories | Wednesday 7th June, 1995When will the drivers puzzle be solved?We are only five races into this year's season, but the team bosses are already looking ahead to 1996. A lot of driver contracts are ending after this year and many drivers may be looking to switch seats. With all the rumors we are hearing, the silly season is truly underway. Even at the top teams, everything may be different next year.
The first announcements have already been made in the last few weeks. In this article, you will find an overview per team of who is confirmed, who is likely to drive for them next year and the wildest rumors.
BenettonConfirmed: -
Likely: Johnny Herbert, Jean Alesi, Jos Verstappen, Michael Schumacher
Rumored: Gerhard Berger, Jacques Villeneuve, Robby Gordon
TyrrellConfirmed: Ukyo Katayama, Mika Salo
WilliamsConfirmed: -
Likely: Damon Hill, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, David Coulthard
Rumored: Jacques Villeneuve, Eddie Irvine, Johnny Herbert
McLarenConfirmed: Mika Hakkinen
Likely: David Coulthard, Nigel Mansell
Rumored: Michael Schumacher, Mark Blundell, Heinz-Harald Frentzen
FootworkConfirmed: Ricardo Rosset
Likely: -
Rumored: Taki Inoue, Hiro Matsushita, Pedro Lamy, Luca Badoer
SimtekConfirmed: -
Likely: Jos Verstappen
Rumored: Nathan van Dijk, Jan Lammers, Vincenzo Sospiri, Jan Magnussen
JordanConfirmed: Rubens Barrichello
Likely: Eddie Irvine
Rumored: Nigel Mansell, Jacques Villeneuve, Robby Gordon, Jos Verstappen
PacificConfirmed: Bertrand Gachot
Likely: Oliver Gavin
Rumored: Bobby Gordon, Andrea Montermini, Jean-Christophe Boullion, Hideki Noda
FortiConfirmed: -
Likely: Pedro Diniz, Nathan van Dijk
Rumored: Andrea Montermini, Hiro Matsushita, Ricardo Rosset, Vincenzo Sospiri, Christian Fittipaldi
MinardiConfirmed: -
Likely: Luca Badoer, Pedro Lamy
Rumored: Nathan van Dijk, Vincenzo Sospiri, Gianni Morbidelli
LigierConfirmed: Olivier Panis
Likely: -
Rumored: Jos Verstappen, Martin Brundle, Mark Blundell, Jean-Christophe Boullion, Gerhard Berger
FerrariConfirmed: -
Likely: Michael Schumacher, Jean Alesi
Rumored: Eddie Irvine, David Coulthard, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Johnny Herbert
SauberConfirmed: -
Likely: Karl Wendlinger, Gianni Morbidelli, Heinz-Harald Frentzen
Rumored: Jos Verstappen, Nicola Larini, Jean-Christophe Boullion
LolaConfirmed: -
Likely: Allan McNish, Vincenzo Sospiri
Rumored: Andrea Montermini, Perry McCarthy, Oliver Gavin, Tarso Marques
Larrousse DAMSConfirmed: -
Likely: Érik Comas, Emmanuel Collard
Rumored: Nathan van Dijk, Andrea Montermini, Jan Lammers, Jean-Christophe Boullion, Hiro Matsushita, Tarso Marques
Larrousse DAMS GP officially announced
After much speculation about the future of the Larrousse team, a new partnership with DAMS was finally announced on a press event at Maison de la Mutualité in Paris. Larrousse DAMS GP is planning to participate in the 1996 Formula 1 season with a chassis designed by British company Reynard and produced in France. In addition, a new design facility will be set up near DAMS' headquarters near Le Mans. The plan is to design and produce the Larrousse DAMS chassis independently from 1997 onwards.
Guy Larrousse said that the new team is in negotiations with several partners for engine supply, expecting an agreement in the next few months. Jean-Paul Driot did announce a major sponsorship deal: cosmetics company L'Oréal will be the team's main sponsor for three years. Most likely they will be promoting one or more of their brands such as Elvive or Lancôme.
The rumor mill was running vividly in Paris, with several drivers and engine manufacturers being linked to the team. After Briatore bought Ligier, Larrousse DAMS will be the only fully French team on the grid next year, which may help them acquire customer or even works engines from Renault or Peugeot. Brian Hart is also said to be in talks with the team. Furthermore, customer Ford engines may be an option. The drivers linked to Larrousse DAMS are listed in our article "When will the drivers puzzle be solved?".
Rookie renditionsBefore flying to Canada, Grand Prix News had the chance to invite the two Formula 1 drivers who drove their first race only this year: Forti's Nathan van Dijk and Pacific's Andrea Montermini. Sitting together for half an hour in Monaco, we had an enjoyable chat with the rookies, discussing their experiences so far and looking into our crystal ball, too.
Gentlemen, thanks for coming. Let us get straight to the point and talk about racing. Both of you have now started your first five races. How did it feel to have made it to the Formula 1 grid?AM: Well, I was close to it last year of course, when I joined the Simtek team in Barcelona. After my crash, I fought back and I was over the moon when Pacific offered me a full season seat. On the grid in Interlagos, I felt really proud that I finally made it.
NvD: I was really surprised to get an offer from Forti already. I mean, I had a good year in German F3 last year, but I never expected to be one of F1's youngest rookies ever! Still, I was a bit worried, because I really wanted to prove the people wrong who said my debut came too early. I was very satisfied that I avoided the last row on the grid and even beat my team mate.
How did your first five races go?AM: I think we exceeded the expectations. This year's Pacific is definitely a better chassis than last year and I have already been able to beat some others to the finish. The last race in Monaco was a bit of a shame, though, as I crashed out. I'm confident that I will bounce back, though!
NvD: Unfortunately I have not yet been able to finish a race. It is impressive how Forti has set up an F1 team from scratch, though. I really am happy with the pace of the car, although there still is a lot to gain of course. I enjoyed my battles with the Simteks, Pacifics, sometimes even Footworks and Minardis, and of course my team mate.
Andrea, you already mentioned your crash from last year. Have you been scared to step into an F1 car again?AM: To be honest, not really. I never lost the faith in my car control and speed and I was mostly happy to be in an F1 car again.
Nathan, we talked a bit about your fast debut. Do you think you could have learned more from another year in F3 or F3000?NvD: That's hard to say, because I didn't! The learning curve was steep for this year, but I think I'm managing it. But maybe we should ask someone who did spend more years in junior categories. Andrea, what do you think? Haha!
AM: Hahaha! I don't think I can say you didn't learn enough yet, as you outqualified me on our debut already.
What do you expect from the rest of the season?AM: I will be enjoying it even more. Pacific is still developing this year's chassis and hopefully we will be able to move further up the grid.
NvD: Forti is planning some very exciting news within a few weeks and after that, things will only get better! In the meantime, I will keep focussing on trying to match Roberto and I am sure I will finish a race soon.
Short but sweetMansell says he is disappointed with McLaren's performance • Is Hideki Noda out of sponsor money? • Footwork keeps Hart engines in 1996 • Pacific Grand Prix at Aida will not be continued next year