Best season by a 'minnow' team?

[Earnard Beccelstone]

Re-watching the 1998 and 1999 season reviews over the weekend, and the performance of Jordan F1 put a real smile on my face. I'd forgotten just how much I like seeing the smaller teams do well.

Particularly watching Ralph in 1998 and Heinz Harold in 1999; plenty of podiums and the occasional victory (admittedly with a bit of helpful H20 and some mechanical gremlins elsewhere).

Was just wondering, what does everyone think were great seasons by a 'minnow' team?

The latest example I can think of is Torro Rosso's 2008 - although that was primarily through an extraordinary performance from Vettel - and possibly Force India's 2009 season. Maybe we'll see a repeat this year by Caterham or Sauber?

[bhall]

[...] and some mechanical gremlins elsewhere.

That's the frustrating part about the phenomenal record of reliability in F1 these days. Now if the "minnows" want to take on the "big fish," they have to beat them at their own game.

[xpensive]

Jordan's debut season in 1991 was actually quite remarkable, finishing in 5th place in the WCC with 13 points.

Then they threw it all away for 1992 with a Yamaha factory deal to run their hopeless V12, ending up 11th.

In 1993, Minardi finished an amazing 8th with 7 points.