PARNELLI
Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing, commonly referred to simply as Parnelli or VPJ, was a motor racing constructor and team from the United States. The team was formed in 1969 by former USAC racer Parnelli Jones and his business partner Velko "Vel" Miletich.
Parnelli secured the services of ex Team Lotus designer Maurice Philippe and driver Mario Andretti for USAC racing in the early 1970s and in 1974 decided to move into Formula One racing, with financial support from tire manufacturer Firestone.
It appeared for the North American races at the end of the 1974 season and was gradually developed through 1975. However, Firestone's decision to quit racing at the end of 1974 meant that a major partner was lost. Jones was unable to find a replacement title sponsor and despite improvements made to the car the team folded only three races into the 1976 season. Andretti only learned of the Formula One team's future from journalist Chris Economaki, as he sat in the car on the grid for the Long Beach Grand Prix. This led to some bad feeling between Andretti and Jones, and Andretti returned to Lotus for the remainder of the season. In total, Vel's Parnelli Jones participated in 16 Grands Prix and scored 6 championship points.
Activity: 1974 - 1975
Grand Prix: 16
Best Result: 4th - M.Andretti (Sweden 1975)
Best Grid Position: 3rd - M. Andretti (United States 1974)
Fastest Laps: 1
Championship Points: 6
Parnelli secured the services of ex Team Lotus designer Maurice Philippe and driver Mario Andretti for USAC racing in the early 1970s and in 1974 decided to move into Formula One racing, with financial support from tire manufacturer Firestone.
It appeared for the North American races at the end of the 1974 season and was gradually developed through 1975. However, Firestone's decision to quit racing at the end of 1974 meant that a major partner was lost. Jones was unable to find a replacement title sponsor and despite improvements made to the car the team folded only three races into the 1976 season. Andretti only learned of the Formula One team's future from journalist Chris Economaki, as he sat in the car on the grid for the Long Beach Grand Prix. This led to some bad feeling between Andretti and Jones, and Andretti returned to Lotus for the remainder of the season. In total, Vel's Parnelli Jones participated in 16 Grands Prix and scored 6 championship points.
Activity: 1974 - 1975
Grand Prix: 16
Best Result: 4th - M.Andretti (Sweden 1975)
Best Grid Position: 3rd - M. Andretti (United States 1974)
Fastest Laps: 1
Championship Points: 6
