In October 1985, news began to circulate in the motorsport world that a new team was preparing to enter Formula 1: Ekström Grand Prix Racing, led by Cecilia Ekström, a Swedish native residing in Switzerland. Ekström had already worked in Formula 1 during the 1970s, collaborating as a sponsor broker for several teams, including Brabham, Lotus, and March. Ekström Grand Prix Racing entered a Tyrrell 012 in the newly created 1985 F3000 championship with Belgian driver Thierry Tassin, but a lack of funds led the Swedish team to accept an offer from American Eric Lang, who, backed by his sponsors, was willing to “buy” a March 85B and race under the Swedish team’s banner.
EKSTROM GP86-01
Motori Moderni 615-90 V6 turbo
The relationship between the driver and the team ended up in court over ownership of the car, with both parties claiming rights to it. Despite losing the legal battle and lacking funds, Ekström decided to pursue the leap to Formula 1, targeting the 1986 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola as the debut of the Ekstrom GP86-01. After approaching BMW and Renault for an engine supply, the team eventually opted for the more affordable 615/90 V6 turbo from Motori Moderni, especially since a last-ditch effort by chief mechanic Dave Kelly to secure Cosworth’s GBA turbo engine came to nothing.
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| EKSTROM GP86-01 Motori Moderni 615-90 V6 turbo |
In an interview with Swiss broadcaster SRF, Cecilia Ekström stated that she was in contact with several sponsors and had enough funds to build a car, as well as having secured a deal with Pirelli for tire supply. Wiet Huidekoper and Tim Feast were brought on board to develop the car, while Italian driver Mauro Baldi was chosen to drive, bringing a significant financial backing from his personal sponsors. However, despite Ekström’s claims, Baldi’s funds were the only resources available.
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| EKSTROM GP86-01 Motori Moderni 615-90 V6 turbo |
Without financial guarantees for the team’s future, the Italian driver also withdrew from the project, leaving the team owner with no further hopes of continuing the venture. A final attempt was made by contacting Carl Haas to acquire the THL1 cars used in 1985. However, the Swedish manager could only offer $200,000, well short of the $375,000 asked by the American team owner, and this opportunity also fell through. The never-born Swedish team was eventually abandoned by its designers, who were (reportedly, though not confirmed) replaced by Christian Vanderpleyn, already working for AGS, and Richard Davila. These two were tasked with completing the GP86-01, of which only drawings and scale models remained; not even a concept image of the car exists.
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| EKSTROM GP86-01 Motori Moderni 615-90 V6 turbo |
It was later revealed that Cecilia Ekström had never paid her collaborators, and it appears that the name Ekström Grand Prix Racing, under which the team was supposed to race, was never even registered with the Swiss Chamber of Commerce.
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