On the grand scale of things, “forty” was probably the fastest these gutsy Italian privateer cars ever travelled. Entering Formula One in 1995, their entire career at the top spanned just over one and a half seasons, tragically ending as it does for so many non-manufacturer teams in bankruptcy.

Forti was the brainchild of two Italian businessmen: engineer Paolo Guerci, and Guido Forti, himself a former racing driver. Their outfit successfully participated in various incarnations of the worldwide Formula Three series from the late 1970s, with the obvious highlight being three consecutive Italian F3 titles between 1987-89.

Higher racing classes soon beckoned, and in their final few F3000 years championship challenges were not uncommon. A healthy relationship with well-off Brazilian driver Pedro Diniz brought just the financial backing that Guido Forti sought – enough to fund and keep afloat a successful F1 outfit.

F1 outfit, yes – successful, not quite so. Their first chance to perform on the world stage came at the Brazilian Grand Prix of 1995, which undoubtedly would have pleased most of Forti’s financial backers. Albilo dos Santos Diniz, Pedro’s high-flying father, was pumping in hard-earned cash from the distribution company and supermarket chain that he owned, and through extensive use of his endless bank of contacts was able to secure the minnows with numerous sponsorship deals.

In return for his kindness, the only two things Diniz Sr reportedly asked for were an all-Brazilian line-up at the team, and for the other lucky driver to play second fiddle to his beloved son. You can hardly blame him really. Although if he could have foreseen what a million-pound disaster Forti were ultimately going to be, I’m sure he would have avoided the entire operation like the plague.

Anyone following Formula One in the mid-90s may well remember a couple of rather sad, pathetic little cars trailing aimlessly along, never any less than four laps down on the rest of the swift-moving field. Diniz Sr got his all-Brazilian line-up, as Guido drafted in the experienced Roberto Moreno to accompany young Pedro, but it’s safe to say neither driver performed spectacularly at any stage. Forti were never going to be competitive, and were laughed at all through the paddock. The scathing words of one particular news report summed them up quite adequately – “a fearful pile of junk.”

Diniz defected to Ligier for the following season, and Moreno probably ran a mile before his hapless team boss approached him to renew his contract. Italians Luca Badoer and Andrea Montermini fetched up on Forti’s rocky shores, and fared no better than their Brazilian predecessors. Albilo Diniz was still contracted to fund the team for another two seasons; but for some unavoidable reason, the black cloud of debt had begun to follow them around.

A mysterious entity known only as Shannon Racing was reputed to have sealed a deal with Guido and his men to purchase just over half of the privateer Italian team. But, for reasons little known to the public, it all fell through in a tumble of accusations that Shannon had not even paid for its stake in the outfit. Guido was also in debt to engine suppliers Cosworth, and the inevitable demise came in Germany 1996 when their engine supply was terminated altogether.

The beginning of the end for privateers in F1 had been signalled. It wouldn’t be too long before Tyrrell, Stewart, Prost, and eventually Jordan and Minardi, would join them in the great F1 paddock in the sky. You really can’t fault them for trying though.

Join me and Victoria on Formula1FanCast.com’s Fantasy League Formula 1 2010. Our league is called Formula1Fancast.com and the league pin is 722. Try and beat us if you can, but be warned we’re good!

Related posts: