Alessandro Nannini

Former F1 driver
Name = Alessandro Nannini


Nationality = flagicon|Italy Italian
Years = 1986 - 1990
Team(s) = Minardi, Benetton
Races = 78 (76 starts)
Championships = 0
Wins = 1
Podiums = 9
Points = 65
Poles = 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 Nannini (born July 7, 1959cite web |url=http://www.oldracingcars.com/bydriver/watn.asp?letter=N |title= The World Championship drivers - Where are they now? |accessdate=2007-07-29 |last=Jenkins |first=Richard |publisher=OldRacingCars.com] ) is a former racing driver from Italy. He is the younger brother of rock-singer Gianna Nannini.

Biography

Nannini, often referred to as Sandro, was born in Siena. He participated in 78 Formula One grands prix, debuting on March 23, 1986. He won 1 race, achieved 9 podiums, and scored a total of 65 championship points.

After joining Benetton for 1988 he immediately distinguished himself, qualifying fourth for his second race in the team, and finishing 3rd at Silverstone. In the 1989 Japanese Grand Prix he came in 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 the outside assistance, 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. [cite web |url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C0CE3D7163DF931A15751C1A966958260 |title=SPORTS PEOPLE: AUTO RACING; Chance for Comeback |date=1990-12-22|accessdate=2008-01-08 |last= |first= |publisher=New York Times.com] The injury healed thanks to successful microsurgery but it ended his Formula One career.

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. A number of strong victories reminded the motorsport world what might have been had his Grand Prix career not been cut so tragically short.

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. [ [http://www.caffenannini.it/ Caffe Nannini > Home ] ]

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.

Complete Formula One results

() (Races in "italics" indicate fastest lap)

References

External links

* [http://8w.forix.com/nannini.html Alessandro Nannini’s full biography at 8W]
* [http://www.caffenannini.it/ Caffe Nannini official website]