Formula 1: Forgiving ambitions, and mergers & acquisitions

Yet, despite all the controversies, Bernie would come up with a statement as such. We need to wonder if treating all teams equally would refer only to the Top 4 teams in the constructors championship alone.

Sauber, fortunately, seems to have found an escape route to their troubled financial times. With three big partners from Russia, their future looks brighter than ever, although it did come up at a cost, in form of an young driver who, despite the lack of experience, is adamant about his chances at Formula 1 in 2014. Will he be a boon or bane is something we will eventually know.

One of the backmarkers, Caterham, seems to be worried with their current lineup. Although they have maintained on record of their commitment to nurture their drivers, things like these are a common sign in this era, isn’t it?

When we go back in time, we look at the teams like Jordan, Ligier, Minardi and Arrows/Footwork. Although comparisons can be made, they aren’t ideal. We really have to applaud on the work done by Minardi: they weren’t the fastest, yet they were reliable in most cases, which was an incredible stat in those days. No wonder such a team like Minardi have won a loyal fan base over the years.

As compared to other teams, there wasn’t a corporate structure that ruled the Minardi. Instead, we found a bunch of eager, and enthusiastic people working their heart out for the team’s cause. They were one of the few to drop the idea of ‘pay drivers’, until it became a necessity for their survival. Instead, they gave a break to young talent, many of whom are noted drivers in this era. We are speaking of the likes of Alonso, Webber, Trulli, Fisichella, among others. Ironically, their successors, Toro Rosso, continue that tradition even in this era, thanks to Red Bull.

It’s also noteworthy to speak of the merger between Minardi and BMS Scuderia Italia. Towards the end of 1993 season, BMS Scuderia and Minardi were struggling for funds. Giancarlo Minardi and Giuseppe Lucchini decided to pursue their goals with a combined entity, which would ensure better prospect for their struggling ventures. Unfortunately for Giancarlo Minardi, it was a start of a downfall, both to him, and his team. That merger worked in favor for BMS Scuderia Italia, more than Minardi’s ambitions.

Giancarlo Minardi’s equity in the new venture was around 15% while the rest of it belonged to the promoters of BMS. The new venture received another twist in 1996, when Lucchini decided to quit Formula 1 to pursue other genres of Motorsport. That was when Gabriele Rumi decided to try his luck at Minardi, first by sponsoring the team, and later becoming the Co-Owner and Chairman of the team until the end of 2000. Following the withdrawal of Rumi, Paul Stoddart decided to revive the fortunes of the team which was on the verge of a collapse, but this period was way different to the team’s previous guises.