Apologies for just butting in here
Lurk a bit around here but usually too shy to post, saw this topic and thought id love to have a go at that (as a big fan of the late 80's/early 90's era, and a big fan of the present day era too), took a few weeks, but got time there to sit down with a pen and paper
Its a really interesting thing to think about!
The 'philosophy' I had was that although the drivers are different, the teams would still have the same mindset and look for the same type of drivers as in the REAL 1989. So basically they had the same philosophy too
:
McLaren Honda (Original drivers A.Senna and A.Prost)
L.Hamilton
F.Alonso
Well, Ron always wanted the best of everything, the drivers knew he would (probably) have the best car and he had the Marlboro big bucks to pull it off. What a team, what a battle it would be, but can it last?
Scuderia Ferrari (N.Mansell and G.Berger)
D.Riccardo
K.Raikonnen
So sadly, in 1988, Enzo Ferrari had to make what turned out to be his final driver signing. He had some reservations about the theatrics and toomfoolery that come with this Commonwealth driver, but in his heart he knew the guy was a real racer, fast and the rare type who would relish wheel to wheel confrontation with even Hamilton and Alonso – yes thats right, Dan Riccardo! Alongside Dan, some say hes in it for the money, and spends too much time thinking about 'off track' matters....but Enzo knew he would be an excellent team player, who would not upset the team dynamic and on his day could whack in a devastating pole or win...it could only be Kimi.
Williams Renault (R.Patrese and T.Boutsen)
S.Vettel
V.Bottas
Although they didn't in 1989, we know from 1990 and subsequent years that Williams were under pressure from sponsors and Renault for a 'name' driver. Seeing that Frank and Patrick were grappling with this, and reading the runes as well as he (arguably) did in 2015, steps the 4 time World Champion Vettel. It may be a tough first year with the Renault engine, but the possibilities are endless, states Vettel. Alongside we have another 'team man', a proven race winner, who can be a bit inconsistent, but is well liked in the paddock and can 'get along' well with big name teammates – Valterri Bottas
Bennetton Ford (A.Nannini, J.Herbert/E.Pirro)
M.Verstappen
D.Ticktum
There was shock in the paddock when Verstappen signed a long term deal with Benetton, after talks with McLaren, Ferrari and Williams. But he wanted a team to be his own, and he saw some of himself in the brash, outsider, magnetic style of the Bennetton team of racers/awesome publicity machine whirl. Not even the consensus in the paddock that Ford engines would never reach the top level put him off.
Alongside Benetton have taken a risk, but on a young Briton they rate really highly for his bags of natural talent. Expect fireworks in this team!
Lotus Judd (N.Piquet, S.Nakajima)
J.Button
J.Villeneuve
Struggling to work out their future strategy, but cosseted by masses of Camel cigarette cash, Lotus take the easy, publicity generating, but short term measure of hiring ageing World Champions on huge salaries. Great drivers, but can they still do it at a declining Lotus team?
Tyrrell Ford (M.Alboreto/J.Alesi, J.Palmer)
C.Lecelec
J.Palmer
Bit of a last minute change of mind for Uncle Ken here – Eddie Jordan had been in his ear hyping this incredible French-Monecasque in the black and white helmet, until he thought he just had to have him in the car – it can only be him, Leclerc! With Leclerc a certainty to pull out some drives beyond the cars potential, what was needed for the second seat was a solid, mature and articulate British driver – will a certain J.Palmer suffice?
Brabham Judd (M.Brundle, S.Modena)
C.Sainz
P.Gasly
It was the usual chaos finding the money to pay them, but gosh Brabham secured a lovely blend of youth and expereince for their team. The likable but tough Sainz for the expereince (no podiums in F1 yet, but come on hes better than that) and the youthful Gasly – yes he can blow hot and cold, but my goodness when he puts a weekend together he is sensational!
Arrows Ford (D.Warwick, E.Cheever)
K.Magnussen
A.Rossi
With their perpetual struggles with money, Arrows knew before the first race they would be in a tough midfield fight. They knew they needed a no nonsense driver who would put his past disappointment with a big team aside and fight like hell in the midfield – who better than Kmag? Because of American sponsorship, the urbane, fast, F1 experienced American Alexander Rossi ideally fits the bill for the second seat.
Moneytron Onyx Ford (S.Johansson, B.Gachot/JJ Lehto)
R.Kubica
L.Norris
What a cult team this will turn out to be! Lovely car, albeit weird owner! Amazingly, they keep popular race winner Kubica in F1, and decide to give youth a chance in the form of Norris - athough there is hilarity in the paddock when it emerges that the eccentric owner of Moneytron gave the drive to Norris solely based on his exceptional knowledge of computers, and particularly the potential future uses of some obscure technology called 'the internet' (like honestly, what even is that?)
Ligier Ford (O.Grouillard, R.Arnoux)
R Grosjean
J.E.Vergene
Guy Ligier is well aware that Gitanetes cigarettes pay the bills, and they want French drivers front of centre in a patriotic team. After unsuccessful flirtations with Leclerc and Gasly, Guy plumbs for fast but erratic Romain Grosjean, and in a surprising move (but a good one all the same), he brings back floppy haired big beast of French motorsport, Jean Eric Vergene, who is burning to prove the big teams dropped him too soon!
March – Judd (M.Gugelmin, I.Capelli)
SS Camera
A Fuoco
March going with a youthful Brazillian and Italian, in an exciting Adrian Newey designed car, very much looking to the future – this could pay off big time, by, around the French GP 1990....?
Osella Ford (N.Larini, P.Ghinzhni)
E.Ocon
S.Galelel
A mixed team here! Osella quickly went for Sean Gaeal's cash, although he could still show well, he is not a bad pay driver and may become a cult figure in the bright KFC livery he has brought to Osella. At the last minute Osella announced Esteban Ocon, who though he had the Williams seat, lost that to Vettel's last minute decision to go there, meaning he was just too late to get the 'French' Ligier seat, then unaccountably Benetton picked Ticktum...................................continued ad nauseam.
Dallara Ford (A.Caffi, A.De Cesaris)
A. Hubert
S.Perez
Could be a really corking driver line up choice by Dallara. Completely out of left field, choosing a green but fast youngster in Hubert, and then going for one of the most experienced drivers on the grid, who comes with the bonus of sponsorship (and won't back down if he gets near the leaders.....Sergio Perez.
Minardi Ford (P.Martini, L.P.Sala)
S.Vandoorne
R.Mehri
He looked great in junior forumlae....but will he really ever win in F1? Still, you know Vandoorne will give it all he's got hustling a Minardi. And then, out of leftfield, to balance the books Minardi take Spanish driver Roberto Mehri after he comes up with sponsorship.
Lola Lamborghini ( Y.Dalmas/E.Bernard/M.Alboreto, P.Alliot)
N.Hulkenburg
A.Markelov
Gerard Larousse took a big risk here. He knew he was taking a chance putting the fast but combative and sometimes wild Anton Markelov into one of his cars, so he was well aware he needed a steady, solid driver, who never mind F1, would be comfortable doing a double Le Mans stint. Nico Hukenburg is the perfect choice!
Coloni Ford (R.Moreno, P.H. Raphanel)
F.Massa
A.Albion
Coloni going with a fiery Brazilian with the distinctive Yellow and Blue helmet to lead the team. Alongside him, Albion a surprising choice – good driver, but will his lack of experience tell?
Eurobrun Judd (G.Foitek/O.Laurruri)
N.Latiffi
Eurobrun just struggling to keep all the plates in the air, so when rich Swiss Latiffi called, they gladly took the cash!
Zaxspeed Yamaha (B.Schneider, A.Suzuki)
B Hartley
K Kobayashi
What a cool driver line up! Although they may not be the biggest names, two likeable drivers here. Just as home with a roof on his head, but focused for the present on F1, its Brendon Hartley. And joining him is a fantastic Japanese driver, the man who took the bar Nakajima had set and went higher....Kamui Kobayashi!
Rial Ford (C.Danner, V.Weidler)
M.Schumacher
S.Sirotkin
German team, German sponsorship. Rial know their great hope of becoming a big team in the future is tapping into the wealth and expertise in their home nation. It was a no brainier to, among a welter (Weidler?) of publicity to give Mick Schumacher his big break in F1......Sergy Sirotkin brings his experience and hard working attitude along as well.
AGS Ford (G.Tarquini, J.Winkelhock, Y.Dalmas)
G.Alesi
M.Ericsson
This team will be popular in Italy! Out of nowhere young Giluano Alesi gets the seat! Alongside Marcus Ericcsson brings experience, big cash and a liking for the blue and yellow colours on the car.
FIRST Judd (G.Tarquini, went bust before first race, did not compete)
D Valsecci
I feel really bad about this one. A likeable, sunny, smiling, quick Italian, thinks he has his big chance again, but it may not happen....
