The 1982 frenzy that modern F1 could miss out on by ejecting Andretti

Frederic Vasseur might have been just 14 years old but he must have been doing something other than paying attention to the Italian Grand Prix in September 1982. Had he done so, the current Ferrari team principal would have been as astounded as everyone else when Mario Andretti made an F1 comeback at the age of 42, stuck his Ferrari on pole at Monza and finished third.

Andretti’s late substitution massively boosted flagging ticket sales in a confusing and catastrophic year that had seen the deaths of Riccardo Paletti and Gilles Villeneuve. When Didier Pironi – the ’82 champion apparent – was seriously injured at Hockenheim and Patrick Tambay began struggling with back pain, Ferrari needed another star driver. Cue the call to Nazareth, Pennsylvania and an invitation for Andretti to test the Ferrari 126C2 at Fiorano on the Monday before Monza.

When the Alitalia flight landed in Milan, TV crews and media rushed to the aircraft steps. Andretti, ever the showman, appeared alone, stopped half way down and raised both arms. He was wearing a Ferrari cap. The 500-plus fans looking on went into a frenzy. One Italian journalist, in all seriousness, likened it to the arrival of the Pope.

Andretti booked three of his accompanying American sponsors into the 5-star Principe Savoia in Milan. Politely refusing Fiat’s offer of a Fiat, Mario chose to drive an Achille Motors Rolls Royce. It was perfect for making his exit from the circuit after claiming that extraordinary pole and then, would you believe, going out for one more lap, stopping where the crowd was thickest on the run to Parabolica and doing a limiter-banging, tyre-smoking start. The place went mental.

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And Vasseur recently asked out loud if the Andretti name would bring anything to F1.

Never mind the Cadillac/GM connection, Enzo Ferrari must have been spinning in his grave when the principal spokesperson for Scuderia Ferrari came out with such a crass question. Yes, the proposed Andretti entry has little to do with Mario in the same way today’s F1 has zero connection with 1982. But for the teams and FOM to whinge about a new team – particularly this one – on the grounds of financial hardship is a miserable mix of ignorance and greed.

What Michael Andretti needs to do is surreptitiously light a fire under F1’s gilded pot and initiate a fight among the key players. There’s nothing like a bit of divide and conquer.

Photo by: Motorsport Images

Mario Andretti's temporary return to Ferrari, aged 42 at the 1982 Italian GP, was stuff of fantasy

Going back to 1980, for instance, the battle for control in F1 had two sides. Manufacturers such as Renault and Alfa Romeo aligned with FISA, the governing body, while the smaller British-based teams stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Bernie Ecclestone under his FOCA (Formula One Constructors’ Association) umbrella.

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Keen to bolster numbers, Bernie revealed that a new team, BS Fabrications, would be building its own cars and joining FOCA. The small British firm (affectionately known as BS Fabs) had a solid reputation thanks to preparing BMW M1 Procars for F1 support races as well as building the championship-winning F2 Tolemans and assembling the Chapparal that went on to win the Indy 500. Nothing would come of the grand prix project but, at the time, the F1 crisis presented an open invitation for new teams, no matter how seemingly insignificant.

Michael Andretti, if he has any sense of devilment, will encourage Lawrence Stroll to cosy up to the FIA in the interest of boosting road car sales. At the same time, Mario’s eldest could stroke Christian Horner’s ego by saying the Red Bull boss, having dominated both championships, is more than capable of owning the entire series, telling Mercedes where to go, and earning himself even more loot and TV interviews. With one side played off against the other, the leading question would be which series Andretti should choose rather being left holding his coat at the door.

Stroll has announced that 10 teams are enough. While making his wooden speech to camera outside the new Aston Martin premises, Stroll might have given thought to how his team came about through Eddie Jordan pulling himself by the bootstraps from F3 and F3000

There’s no chance of that happening any more than a BS Fabs-style operation so much as thinking about F1. But it’s worth noting BS Fabs, with an ex-works McLaren M23, entered Nelson Piquet for three GPs in 1978, the novice going on to become a triple world champion. There was never any question about the little company from Luton being prevented from racing; if it could qualify for the 26-car grid, it was in. Which surely highlights the nonsense of exceptional talent such Oscar Piastri standing idle throughout 2022 because there were no seats of any description.

Stroll has announced that 10 teams are enough. While making his wooden speech to camera outside the new Aston Martin premises, Stroll might have given thought to how his team came about through Eddie Jordan pulling himself by the bootstraps from F3 and F3000.

Jordan’s entry to F1 in 1991 was never in danger of being rejected. EJ’s main obstacle turned out to be Flavio Briatore protecting Benetton’s share of Ford sponsorship when he discovered Jordan was doing a deal with Cosworth. At no point did Briatore wring his hands and say this was unfair.

As for James Vowles being against another entry by putting the security of his 750 (!) employees before the actual reason for their commitment and passion; talk about the well-meaning tail wagging the overweight dog. F1 has changed massively since 1970, but it might be timely to repeat Frank Williams’s summary of life after the loss of his driver and best mate Piers Courage in a fiery crash at Zandvoort.

“We were insolvent,” recalled Frank. “All we owned were two engines, a transporter, some minor mechanical items, lots of debt – and no Piers.”

F1 is not easy, and never has been. When Ecclestone formed FOCA and initiated its own credential, a drawing on the front showed a castle with its portcullis almost closed. “Represents the motto of FOCA,” murmured Bernie. “It’s bloody difficult to get in – but not impossible.”

Photo by: Alexander Trienitz / Motorsport Images

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