Alessandro Nannini
 | |
| Alessandro Nannini | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Italian |
| Years | 1986 - 1990 |
| Team(s) | Minardi, Benetton |
| Races | 78 |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 1 |
| Podiums | 9 |
| Poles | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| First race | 1986 Brazilian Grand Prix |
| First win | 1989 Japanese Grand Prix |
| Last win | n/a |
| Last race | 1990 Spanish Grand Prix |
Alessandro Nannini (born July 7, 1959) is a former Formula One driver from Italy. He is the younger brother of rock-singer Gianna Nannini.
Biography
Nannini, often referred to as Sandro, was born in Siena in 1959. He participated in 78 Formula 1 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 impressed, 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 when Ayrton Senna tried an over-optimistic overtaking move, and Alain Prost turned in on him, knowing that a point-less race from Senna would give him the title. Senna rejoined after being push-started, and pitted to replace his front wing, rejoining behind Nannini. He overtook him to win the race, but 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 and suffered a major hand injury. The injury healed thanks to successful microsurgery but it ended his Formula One career.
Despite regaining only 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.
Complete Formula One results
(Races in bold indicate pole position)
| Year | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | Team | WDC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | Minardi | BRA Ret |
ESP DNS |
SMR Ret |
MON DNQ |
BEL Ret |
CAN Ret |
USA Ret |
FRA Ret |
GBR Ret |
GER Ret |
HUN Ret |
AUT Ret |
ITA Ret |
POR Ret |
MEX 14 |
AUS Ret |
Minardi | - | 0 |
| 1987 | Minardi | BRA Ret |
SMR Ret |
BEL Ret |
MON Ret |
USA Ret |
FRA Ret |
GBR Ret |
GER Ret |
HUN 11 |
AUT Ret |
ITA 16 |
POR 11 |
ESP Ret |
MEX Ret |
JPN Ret |
AUS Ret |
Minardi | - | 0 |
| 1988 | Benetton | BRA Ret |
SMR 6 |
MON Ret |
MEX 7 |
CAN Ret |
USA Ret |
FRA 6 |
GBR 3 |
GER 18 |
HUN Ret |
BEL DSQ |
ITA 9 |
POR Ret |
ESP 3 |
JPN 5 |
AUS Ret |
Benetton | 10th | 12 |
| 1989 | Benetton | BRA 6 |
SMR 3 |
MON 8 |
MEX 4 |
USA Ret |
CAN DSQ |
FRA Ret |
GBR 3 |
GER Ret |
HUN Ret |
BEL 5 |
ITA Ret |
POR 4 |
ESP Ret |
JPN 1 |
AUS 2 |
Benetton | 6th | 32 |
| 1990 | Benetton | USA 11 |
BRA 10 |
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 |
Benetton | 8th | 21 |