Grand Prix Rejects

• Race fit

• Obtains a super license

• Can provide over £290k over the season (17k per race)

1. Jonathan Palmer
2. Mike Thackwell

Aislabie wrote: ↑30 May 2023, 23:18 Rover would like to announce an engine partnership for 1982 with March Engineering.

Per the terms of this deal, Rover will supply engines under the "Rover" marque; the constructor would be listed as "March-Rover" and the engines badged as "Rover-Hart 415T 1.5 L4t".

Rover will also request that March consider hires
Rupert Keegan for a 1982 race seat. This will be rewarded with an automatic option for March to extend the Rover engine supply into 1983.

Rob Dylan wrote: ↑31 May 2023, 11:45 Also, although I am not sure if the "candidacy for election" thing starts now or at the end of the season, Nigel Mansell would like to announce his intention to run for GDPA chairman against Stephen South. The discrimination of this vote against Riccardo Patrese will not stand. The Lotus team are voting against any banning of the Italian driver.

Autosport wrote:Reckless Jones banned


Alan Jones has been banned from the 1981 Swiss Grand Prix after rejoining the track in a careless manner. The World Champion spun on the kerbs and rejoined in the path of John Watson, who collided with the Lotus. Watson was fortunate to finish the race with only minor front wing damage, whilst Jones was forced to retire from the race.

Autosport wrote:Balestre: Future Recklessness To Be Punished

FISA President Jean-Marie Balestre backed the punishment handed out to World Champion Alan Jones, who has been banned for one race after dangerously rejoining the track. "The GDPA have spoken, and I happen to agree with them" said Balestre. "Reckless driving will not be tolerated in the pinnacle of motorsport. As such, further recklessness will be punished similarly".

Driving that stewards deem to be rejoining the track in an unsafe manner will be met with a race ban from now on - without the possibility to appeal - FISA confirmed.

Autosport wrote: Salazar ruled out
Toleman driver Eliseo Salazar has been ruled out of completing the 1981 season after a horror smash at the Swiss Grand Prix. The Chilean, who had already spun several laps prior, was involved in a miscommunication with Renault's Jean-Pierre Jabouille as the Frenchman attempted to lap Salazar. The resulting contact saw Salazar veer off and collide with the pit-wall attenuator at nearly 180 mph.

The Formula One world was spared another sombre afternoon, but although he has a lot to be grateful for, Salazar has a long road to recover from the broken legs and fractured pelvis he suffered during the incident.

Autosport wrote: Anti ground effect needed for "strong foundations"
Many drivers were caught unaware by the intense grip provided by the ground effect chassis, with the worst incident involving a miscommunication between Jean-Pierre Jabouille and Eliseo Salazar, who collided with the pit wall attenuator. FISA President Jean-Marie Balestre has declared that the spate of collisions seen during the Swiss Grand Prix is evidence of the need for the new regulations coming into force for 1982. Under the new ruleset, sliding skirts and ground effects are banned; with cars mandated to have a flat bottom.

"This will provide a strong foundation for the future" said Balestre.

Rejectsport wrote: Driver rumour round-up
With the 1981 season entering the latter stages, attention is beginning to turn to the usual silly season. Chief amongst the gossip is that Guillaume Gauthier will move to Renault for 1981 to partner Alain Prost in a French dream-team.

Brian Henson has been linked with Spartec Rover, likely replacing Stephen South to replace Derek Warwick.

Jean-Pierre Jarier is rumoured to be looking at a switch to endurance racing for 1982. John Watson and Jeremy-Etienne Voeckler have been linked with a move away to partner Regazzoni at McLaren, who remains out of contract.

Renault F1 press communique wrote: Following the unfortunate incident in the Swiss Grand Prix involving Jean-Pierre Jabouille and Eliseo Salazar, Jabouille has voluntarily stepped away from his driving duties for the remainder of the season. In his stead, Frenchman Jacques Godard will be called up to see out the final three races. Additionally, Renault would like to request permission for the #14 car to be renumbered to #13, as this surely cannot bring us any further misfortune than this year already has.

Autosport wrote:Regazzoni Champion
Despite retiring from the 1981 Canadian Grand Prix, Clay Regazzoni was crowned champion in Montreal after main title rival Keke Rosberg failed to win the race. The Swiss - the first McLaren driver to challenge for the title since 1976 - celebrated in moderate fashion with team boss Ron Dennis and other personnel well into the 23rd hour of the night.

"Our well-deserved victory shows the importance of synergising performance with crushing attention to detail in all aspects of a nascent team's life@" quipped Dennis mid-celebrations.

Team-mate Jean-Pierre Javier was noticeably absent from the celebrations, despite coming home in 2nd position. Rumours are already abound of the team not exercising an option for a second year of the Frenchman's contract in 1982.

MotorSport Magazine wrote:In memoriam: 1981 - a difficult year

It has been a tragic year for Formula One. The paddock and fans alike pay tribute to Didier Pironi and Patrick Depailler, who we sadly lost in the act of doing what they loved. In addition, many accidents have seen drivers taken to hospital for treatment for their injuries ...

... Is there signs of a bridge over troubled water for the sport? The FISA-FOCA war appears, at the time of this publication, to have burnt itself out - either in spite of the tragedy or because of it. Either way, the new harmony in the paddock and the banning of grounds effect for 1982 may just be the heralds of a new, safer era in Formula One.

Autosport wrote:Trouble at Lotus?

At this time of year, the Formula One silly season is in full swing. One such piece of gossip swirling around the paddock is that of a rift between Alan Jones and Colin Chapman at Lotus. Sources close to the team have painted the atmosphere as "frostier than Captain Birdseye's bedroom" amidst rumours of Jones falling foul of Chapman's expectations on weight.

Autosport wrote:Taking Candy from a Tyrrell

Italian white goods manufacturer Candy has ended their relationship with Tyrrell after sponsoring the team since 1978. A press release from the company thanked Ken Tyrrell and all his stuff for their efforts this season, which include three race wins.

A source told this publication that Ken's refusal to hire an Italian driver has been behind the decision to not renew the sponsorship deal. It is as-yet unclear if Tyrrell have a sponsor lined up in replacement.