Michele Alboreto, born on December 23, 1956, in Milan, Italy, enjoyed a distinguished racing career spanning over four decades. His journey began in 1977 in European Formula 3, where he quickly made a mark by clinching the championship two years later.
| Nationality | Italian |
|---|---|
| Born | Michele Alboreto 23 December 1956 Milan, Italy |
| Died | 25 April 2001 (aged 44) EuroSpeedway Lausitz, Germany |
In 1981, Alboreto’s entry into Formula 1 with Tyrrell marked a significant milestone. His talent shone brightly as he secured his maiden Grand Prix win the following season at the 1982 Caesars Palace Grand Prix in Las Vegas, followed by another win at the 1982 Detroit Grand Prix, establishing himself as a respected driver on the grid.
A pivotal move to Ferrari in 1984 saw Michele reaffirming his promise, claiming three victories and finishing second in the 1985 World Drivers Championship, narrowly trailing Alain Prost in the McLaren.
Ferrari’s president, Luca Montezemolo, acknowledged Alboreto’s invaluable contributions, praising his technical acumen and unwavering passion for racing upon hearing of his passing in 2001.
After stints with various teams, including Tyrrell, Larousse, Lola, Arrows, Footwork, and Minardi, Alboreto retired from Formula 1, exploring new race series, including touring cars and the Indy Racing League before finding success in sports car racing.
In 1997, he triumphed at Le Mans alongside Stefan Johansson and Tom Kristensen, solidifying his legacy as a formidable racer. Michele’s association with Audi Sport’s factory works team saw him dominating with the R8, with victories at prestigious events like the 12 Hours of Sebring.
Tragically, Alboreto met his demise while testing an Audi R8 sportscar at the Lausitzring in eastern Germany, succumbing to a high-speed tyre failure.
Michele Alboreto Formula One World Championship career
| F1 Career | 1981–1994 |
|---|---|
| Teams | Tyrrell, Ferrari, Larrousse, Arrows, Footwork, Scuderia Italia, Minardi |
| Entries | 215 (194 starts) |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 5 |
| Podiums | 23 |
| Career points | 186.5 |
| Pole positions | 2 |
| Fastest laps | 5 |
| First entry | 1981 San Marino Grand Prix |
| First win | 1982 Caesars Palace Grand Prix |
| Last win | 1985 German Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 1994 Australian Grand Prix |
Sources: Wikipedia.com and historicracing.com
