Tullio Abbate is a constructor of fine Italian motorboats. In 1981 he organized the Rothmans Trophy race for power boats for Formula 1 drivers. It took place on Lake Como prior to the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Gilles won the first of race, but did not participate in the second and last race due to his death at Zolder. Tullio Abbate remembers him.
Where did the idea of a power boat race for Formula 1 drivers come from?
The idea came up in St Tropez while I was sitting with Gilles and Didier Pironi. Then Monti Shadow asked for permission from Bernie Ecclestone who also found a sponsor in Rothmans and Fila. First, we asked 6 drivers to take part and all of them said yes with enthusiasm. Nobody declined. In the end we had Gilles, Didier, Richard Patrese, Bruno Giacomelli, Beppi Gabbiani, Jean-Pierre Jarier, Marc Surer and Eddie Cheever. Our team, Team Tullio Abbate provided boats for each driver plus one spare. The Grand Hotel Villa D’este made their wonderful location as our event base.
How were the pilots chosen?
Gilles knew everybody. Most of them lived in Monte Carlo at that time. We had great time together and by the summer of 1980 we all became very good friends.
You already had a relationship with Gilles, didn’t you?
Yes, Gilles and I had a very special relationship. It was personal, familiar and technical all at the same time. Needless to say he was extremely competent and skilled and he always wanted the maximum. Gilles owned a 36’ offshore boat with the name “No problem” – it was one of his usual often used phrases. His boat was capable of 135-140 km/h which was equal to an Offshore Class 1 speed at that time. He personally took part in the construction of the boats so we were able to choose among the different mechanical solutions.
Did the drivers to handle these boats quickly?
They loved it. In practice, after each lap, you could sense as they picked up speed and began to race. (This video clip shows how they adapted to power boat racing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tvXYj4u_bg)
How did the event go off?
It was a marvellous occasion. You could feel the real mood of a Grand Prix in the air. Gilles raced with the same enthusiasm and dedication we enjoyed from Formula 1. He won and it created a fantastic atmosphere. There thousands of spectators around the circuit on the shore and in boats and I am sure they still talk about this Rothmans Trophy race even today!
The success of the 1981 race had a different feeling in 1982...
The second Rothmans Trophy race was not the same with Gilles gone. There were new participants like Prost, Arnoux, de Angelis, Boesel. Cheever won with Alain Prost second. It was only months after Gilles’ death. It just was’t the same. Joanna was present with Jacques and Melanie. Didier had also had his accident by this time which created a problem with our insurance company. Eventually this prevented the drivers from taking part in competitions like ours.
More than 30 years passed. How do you see the situation today?
Comparing what we have today with past is woeful. Today’s drivers are not independent. They are more or less the robots of their sponsors, which is sad.
