thats a picture of what could have been... I think the last Italian to race for Ferrari was Ivan Capelli
Thanks for the pic Vincent. I'm sure I'v seen it before but now I have it. I don't have a photo of Fisico driving a Ferrari in 1996, but here's picture of Fisico riding a Ferrari. (1997 season) Either Fisico or Michael was fined. (dangerous manoeuvre) Image Unavailable, Please Login
Indeed. When Irvine lefted Ferrari, I thought Ferrari were interested in Fisichella but they went for Barrichello. Last year, Fisichella was supposed to test for Ferrari but it didn't happen. Maybe if he does miracles at Renault in the 2005 and 2006 season, he will have a chance to race for Ferrari when Rubens contract is over. (or if MS retires) The next italian who will race for Ferrari is Liuzzi. (I hope) In F3000, he was incredible!
All of You can keep dreaming in Fisichella driving a Ferrari F1. Ferrari will never ever hire an Italian for Race driver 'nor as driver one or two. As you can see only test driver, Luca Badoer. here is why, the last italian driver that drove for them as race car driver, he crashed in Monaco and died. after that Ferrari were blamed in speculation from the people. After that ferrari swore not to have another Italian driver as race driver.
So who's the Ferrari driver that died in Monaco? For sure he was not the last Italian to drive for Ferrari as I. Capelli did in 1992 alongside Jean Alesi. It's strange that Ferrari has not hired another Italian but I'm not so sure about the story.
Fernando is right. The last italian driver to race for Ferrari is Ivan Capelli in 1992. (Nicola Larini was the test driver). Michele Alboreto was another italian driver(84-88). Michele died in 2001.(testing crash at Lausitz). I think you're talking about Lorenzo Bandini. (died of injuries sustained at the 1967 Monaco GP)
Other Italian drivers who have raced in Formula One for Ferrari since the death of Bandini in 1967: Michele Alboreto Mario Andretti (Italian-born) Ivan Capelli Andrea de Adamich Nanni Galli Ignazio Giunti Nicola Larini Arturo Merzario Ludovico Scarfiotti Others?
Didn't Larini actually race once with Ferrari? Alboreto was the last Italian who has driven a Ferrari with some success
I remember that. I was completely amazed at Fisichella's sheer bravey for doing that. Michael and Fisichella were both fined for that. Later on in an interview Fisichella said that he thought Michael would drive slowly on the parade lap and save himself the long walk back to the pits. However, Michael seemed to be in a hurry to get on to the podium. Safe to say the marshalls and race officials were not impressed. Jean Todt had a word or two with Michael about that too.
I think that might be fun if Michael didn't drive to fast, I wonder how fast he did get the car going though.
Larini did indeed race for Ferrari in 1994 when Jean Alesi had injured himself in a testing accident. Larini also raced for Ferrari in 1992 after Capelli was fired. It was Lorenzo Bandini who died in a fiery accident in the 1967 Monaco GP. Although Enzo Ferrari did at one time say that he preferred non-Italians because of the negative press reaction when an Italian was killed or injured in one of his cars, he did subsequently change his mind and hire Alboreto. I see no reason why Ferrari would not hire an Italian in future. Indeed, if the next Schumacher proved to be Italian Ferrari would hire him regardless. Having said that, I think it pretty unlikely Fisichella will ever end up there and certainly not on the strength of one race where he was handed a big advantage thanks to being very lucky with the weather in qualifying. Jonathan
I dont know how much I believe the rumor of them swearing to not have another italian driver, cause they have been after Valentino Rossi for some time now. Ferrari just wants to win, plain and simple. If an italian driver can deliver then they will sign him up. It just so happens that a german and brazilian do it better at this point.
Yes he did at the last GP of the season which was the Australian GP back then. Gianni finished 6th. This was in 1991.
Yes he was on the podium. He was 2th, not 3th. 1994 Imola GP: 1. M. Schumacher 2. Nicola Larini 3. Mika Hakkinen
