Alessandro Zanardi

Alessandro Zanardi (born 23rd October, 1966 in Bologna, Italy) is an Italian racing driver best known for his appearances in Formula One and US Open Wheel racing.

Early career

Zanardi began car racing in 1988 when he took part in Italian F3.

Zanardi graduated to Formula 3000 in late 1989 with Middlebridge Racing - where he won his first race at this level in the round at Le Mans.

Zanardi moved across to the Italian Il Barone Rampante team in 1990, initially struggling before winning two straight races at Monza & Jerez - putting the Italian firmly into the lead of the championship.

Formula One

1991-: Scuderia Italia

Zanardi graduated to Formula One in 1991 with the BMS Scuderia Italia team driving alongside Alex Caffi. Zanardi was plagued with reliability issues in his first season at this level but did score a impressive fifth place in the Portuguese Grand Prix.

Zanardi would stay with the team for 1992. That season, Zanardi and the team would suprise everyone in the paddock by enjoying a breakout year. A sturdy, but nimble Dallara chassis powered by the Ferrari V12 allowed Zanardi and veteran teammate and fellow countryman Andrea de Cesaris to score points with alarming regularity, culminating in the team finishing at an outstanding 5th place in the constructor's standings, tied on points with Ferrari, while Zanardi himself would finish 7th in the drivers standings.

Despite interest from many teams, most otably front runners Benetton Arrows, Zanardi suprised everyone by staying with Scuderia Italia for 1993. With Ferrari not giving them their powerplant, the team opted for Mugen-Honda engines, while Dallara returned to supply them chassis following their very successful 1992.