Who are the F1 "what might have beens?"

"Bob LeDrew" (bobledrew1) 11/12/2014 at 12:46 • Filed to: None

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Here's a question:

It's easy to point to drivers that never should have been in Formula One. James Hunt would have pointed to "Andrea de Crasharis". Beltraz, Belmondo, Inoue, some might even argue Villeneuve (SACRILEGE, says this Canadian).

But who are the people who never, for one reason or another, got a fair shake in F1 and went on to massive success elsewhere in motorsport?

I'll start you off:

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! : USAC Road Racing champion, a technical second in Le Mans, 3 victories in Sebring, a Daytona win. 1 F1 race ('61 USGP), and he didn't even start.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Bob LeDrew 11/12/2014 at 12:50

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I know that it's not over yet for him, but I really feel like Sergio Perez got shafted badly by McLaren last year.

Trunk Impaired 318 > Bob LeDrew 11/12/2014 at 12:53

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Stefan Bellof

http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/possibly-the-b…

Kate's Dirty Sister > Bob LeDrew 11/12/2014 at 13:03

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I know it's easy to make fun of Villeneuve, but you can't overlook what he achieved.

His time in Atlantic Formula, his 2 years in IndyCar (when the series was at its best) and of course, his first 2 years in F1. His Nationwide record isn't bad either, 6 top tens, 1 pole in 9 races. Also, 2nd at LeMans in 2008.

He got a shitty post WDC career, mostly to due to his own (and his manager Pollock) greedy decisions, but the fact his that he's never been in a good car until 2006. Unfortunately, Mario Thiessen was not a big fan of him (and his 25M salary) and wanted Kubica, even if Villeneuve was outpacing Heidfeld, but I guess he wasn't German enough.

Renault wanted him for 2002, but decided to re-sign with BAR instead. BAR had just secured the factory Honda engine and I guess he believed it was better than Renault.

If he had signed with Renault, he would have been in Alonso's car in 2k5 and 2k6 ...

Bob LeDrew > Trunk Impaired 318 11/12/2014 at 13:04

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Can't argue that one. Bellof's potential was cruelly cut short by

Bob LeDrew > Kate's Dirty Sister 11/12/2014 at 13:05

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I totally agree. But I suspect there are more than a few who wouldn't.

Kate's Dirty Sister > Bob LeDrew 11/12/2014 at 13:22

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I like to think that Greg Moore would have made it to F1

He had the talent, that's for sure.

Bob LeDrew > Kate's Dirty Sister 11/12/2014 at 14:51

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According to Motorsportretro.com, Moore had links with McLaren through Mercedes (they were his motor in Indycars in 1999), and apparently he had some discussions with Frank Williams. What might have been, indeed.

Kate's Dirty Sister > Bob LeDrew 11/12/2014 at 14:58

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He was heading to Penske for 2000 (another Merc team), but who know, thing can change quickly, he was still young.