Alessandro Nannini

Alessandro Nannini
Born 7 July 1959 (1959-07-07) (age 52)
Formula One World Championship career
Nationality Italian
Active years 1986 - 1990
Teams Minardi, Benetton
Races 78 (76 starts)
Championships 0
Wins 1
Podiums 9
Career points 65
Pole positions 0
Fastest laps 2
First race 1986 Brazilian Grand Prix
First win 1989 Japanese Grand Prix
Last win 1989 Japanese Grand Prix
Last race 1990 Spanish Grand Prix

Alessandro "Sandro" Nannini (born 7 July 1959[1]) is a former racing driver from Italy. He is the younger brother of rock-singer Gianna Nannini.

Contents

Biography

Nannini was born in Siena. He made his Formula One debut in 1986 for the Minardi team, alongside compatriot Andrea de Cesaris. He remained with Minardi for 1987, this time with Spaniard Adrián Campos. Although he scored no points in these two seasons and retired from most races due to his car’s unreliability, his performances were sufficiently impressive to earn him a seat with the more competitive Benetton team for 1988.

Nannini immediately distinguished himself at Benetton, qualifying fourth for his second race in the team, and finishing 3rd at Silverstone. In the 1989 Japanese Grand Prix he lay 3rd behind the two McLaren cars of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost when they collided, giving Nannini the lead. Senna rejoined after being push-started, and pitted to replace his front wing, rejoining behind Nannini. Nannini was passed by Senna, who went on to cross the finish line first, but the Brazilian was disqualified for missing the chicane following his collision with Prost, handing Nannini what proved to be his only Formula 1 win.

One week after the 1990 Spanish Grand Prix he was involved in a helicopter crash in Siena in which his right forearm was severed.[2] The injury healed thanks to successful microsurgery but it ended his Formula One career. He had participated in 78 Formula One grands prix. He won 1 race, achieved 9 podiums, and scored a total of 65 championship points.

Despite only regaining partial use of his right hand, Nannini was able to carve out a successful career in touring car racing with Alfa Romeo in the 1990s.

Nannini competed for Mercedes in the 1997 FIA GT Championship finishing 6th overall before hanging up his helmet. He now runs a chain of upmarket cafes bearing his name, with branches as far flung as Indonesia.[3]

2007 saw Sandro Nannini’s return to the track after a decade in retirement. He agreed to take part in the short-lived Grand Prix Masters Championship for Formula One veterans, in the first time he has raced a powerful single seater since his F1 career ended in 1990, alongside drivers including his former Benetton team mate Johnny Herbert.

He is member of the Italy-USA Foundation.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 WDC Points
1986 Minardi Team Minardi M185B MM V6 BRA
Ret		 ESP
DNS		 SMR
Ret		 MON
DNQ		 BEL
Ret		 CAN
Ret		 DET
Ret		 FRA
Ret		 GBR
Ret		 GER
Ret		 HUN
Ret		 AUT
Ret		 ITA
Ret		 POR
NC		 MEX
14		 AUS
Ret		 NC 0
1987 Minardi Team Minardi M187 MM V6 BRA
Ret		 SMR
Ret		 BEL
Ret		 MON
Ret		 DET
Ret		 FRA
Ret		 GBR
Ret		 GER
Ret		 HUN
11		 AUT
Ret		 ITA
16		 POR
11		 ESP
Ret		 MEX
Ret		 JPN
Ret		 AUS
Ret		 NC 0
1988 Benetton Formula Ltd. Benetton B188 Cosworth V8 BRA
Ret		 SMR
6		 MON
Ret		 MEX
7		 CAN
Ret		 DET
Ret		 FRA
6		 GBR
3		 GER
18		 HUN
Ret		 BEL
DSQ		 ITA
9		 POR
Ret		 ESP
3		 JPN
5		 AUS
Ret		 10th 12
1989 Benetton Formula Ltd. Benetton B188 Cosworth V8 BRA
6		 SMR
3		 MON
8		 MEX
4		 USA
Ret		 CAN
DSQ		 6th 32
Benetton B189 Ford V8 FRA
Ret		 GBR
3		 GER
Ret		 HUN
Ret		 BEL
5		 ITA
Ret		 POR
4		 ESP
Ret		 JPN
1		 AUS
2
1990 Benetton Formula Ltd. Benetton B189B Ford V8 USA
11		 BRA
10		 8th 21
Benetton B190 SMR
3		 MON
Ret		 CAN
Ret		 MEX
4		 FRA
16		 GBR
Ret		 GER
2		 HUN
Ret		 BEL
4		 ITA
8		 POR
6		 ESP
3		 JPN
 AUS

References

  1. ^ Jenkins, Richard. "The World Championship drivers - Where are they now?". OldRacingCars.com. http://www.oldracingcars.com/driver/Alessandro_Nannini. Retrieved 2007-07-29. 
  2. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE: AUTO RACING; Chance for Comeback". New York Times.com. 1990-12-22. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE3D7163DF931A15751C1A966958260. Retrieved 2008-01-08. 
  3. ^ Caffe Nannini > Home

External links