Ivan Palazzese
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| Motorcycle Grand Prix Career | |
| Nationality |  Venezuelan |
|---|---|
| Active years | 1977 - 1989 |
| Team(s) | Morbidelli, Yamaha, Aprilia |
| Grands Prix | 69 |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 2 |
| Podium finishes | 9 |
| Pole positions | 1 |
| Fastest laps | 2 |
| First Grand Prix | 1977 125cc Venezuelan Grand Prix |
| First win | 1982 125cc Swedish Grand Prix |
| Last win | 1982 125cc Finnish Grand Prix |
| Last Grand Prix | 1989 250cc West German Grand Prix |
Ivan Palazzese (January 2, 1962 - May 28, 1989) was an Italian born Venezuelan Grand Prix motorcycle road racer. He was the youngest person to stand on a Grand Prix podium when he finished third behind Angel Nieto and Anton Mang at the 1977 125cc Venezuelan Grand Prix at the age of 15.
Palazzese had his best year in 1982 when he won two 125cc Grands Prix and finished the season in third place, behind Angel Nieto and Eugenio Lazzarini. He was killed in a racing accident at the 1989 West German Grand Prix in Hockenheim when he collided with another rider, fell and was struck by a following motorcycle. He was 27 years old.
In the Italian city of Alba Adriatica, where Palazzese was born, there is a monument erected in his honor.(Photo of the monument).
[edit] Motorcycle Grand Prix Results
| Year | Class | Classification | Machine | Victories |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 125cc | 16th | Morbidelli | 0 |
| 1980 | 125cc | 7th | Yamaha | 0 |
| 1981 | 125cc | 7th | Yamaha | 0 |
| 1982 | 125cc | 3rd | Morbidelli | 2 |
| 1983 | 250cc | 13th | Yamaha | 0 |
| 1984 | 250cc | 15th | Yamaha | 0 |
| 1985 | 250cc | - | Yamaha | 0 |
| 1986 | 250cc | - | Yamaha | 0 |
| 1987 | 250cc | 16th | Yamaha | 0 |
| 1988 | 250cc | 18th | Yamaha | 0 |
| 1989 | 250cc | 22nd | Aprilia | 0 |
