Giancarlo Fisichella History Page

Giancarlo Fisichella began his Formula1 career with Minardi in 1996 spending time as both test and race driver.
He moved to the Jordan team in '97 and showed glimpses of excellence in a tempestuous season with teammate Ralf Schumacher, outscoring the young German by 20 points to 13, although the season included a few coming togethers by the Jordan pair.
His move to Benetton the 1998 season was a controversial one with Gaincarlo’s manager and Benetton chief Flavio Briatore taking the Jordan team to court to secure his services. In his first season with the Italian outfit he got off to a shaky start but slowly found his feet towards the end of the season including a pole position at the A1-Ring in Austria.
Fisichella further distinguished himself against team mate Alex Wurz during both 1999 and 2000, regularly out-qualifying and out-racing the Austrian. He was responsible for 13 out of Benetton's 16 points in 1999, and 18 out the team's total of 20 constructors' points in 2000.
Much vaunted as a young pretender to the F1 crown a couple of seasons back, Giancarlo has (thus far) failed to show the sort of class needed to reach the highest level. However, a lot of this is down to the poor equipment at his disposal.
2000 started off well, with five points finishes in the first eight races, but he then began to lose focus as the season drew to a close and the Italian's season ended on a low note.
2001 has seen a return to the kind of form he has shown prior to 2000. The new wide-angle Renault engine has meant the Benetton have been way off the pace – often qualifying on the last two rows, but Giancarlo never gave up trying and was rewarded with a brilliant 3rd at Spa. He out performed his much vaunted teammate, Jenson Button, in nearly every race.

FACT FILE Born 14th January 1973, in Rome.

Lives - Monte Carlo, Monaco.

Nationality - Italian.

Engaged to Luna, 1 daughter, Carlotta.

Height - 1.72m.

Weight - 69kg.

Career

1984 Italian Minikart Championship (60cc).

1985-87 Karting, 100cc Italian Cadets Championship.

1988-91 Karting,100cc International Class.

1992 Italian Formula 3 Championship – Finishes in 8th place with a 1st in the Imola Grand Prix.

1993 Italian Formula 3 Championship - 2nd Pole Position and 2nd in the Monaco Grand Prix.

1994 Italian Formula 3 Champion. 10 wins, 5 second places, 3 third places, 11 pole positions. Pole position and victory at the Monaco Grand Prix.

1995 Secures his first F1 drive, as test driver for Minardi. 2nd in the Motor Show Challenge. DTM/ITC - 2nd in race at Mugello.

1996 One of 4 drivers who race for Minardi, gets his chance in 8 races, but without much result in an unreliable car and old engine. Also works as Ferrari test driver. Wins the Bologna Supersprint with Benetton.

1997 Joins Jordan for his first full season in F1 and finishes in an excellent 8th in the drivers championship with 20 points. Claims two podiums, 3rd in Canada and 2nd in Belgium, with 4th in San Marino, Italy and Austria, and a 6th in Monaco. He has the fastest lap in Spain and leads the German Grand prix for 7 laps.

1998 Flavio Briatore brings him to Benetton where he finishes 9th in the drivers championship scoring 16 points. Highlights are a 2nd place at Monaco and Canada, and his only pole position to date in Austria.

1999 2nd season with Benetton, 9th in the drivers championship with 13 points. 1 podium – a 2nd in Canada.

2000 3rd year with Benetton, 6th in the drivers championship with 18 points. 3 podium finishes – a 2nd in Brazil, 3rd in Monaco and Canada.

2001 4th and last year with Benetton, finishes 11th in the drivers championship with 8 points, a great drive brings him 3rd place in Belgium with a vastly underpowered Renault engine.

2002 Rejoins Jordan Grand Prix on a 3 year contract.

Giancarlo's Formula One Career

Starts
Wins
Poles
Podiums
Front Rows
Fastest Laps
Points
91
0
1
9
2
1
75

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Giancarlo Fisichella began his Formula1 career with Minardi in 1996 spending time as both test and race driver. He moved to the Jordan team in '97 and showed glimpses of excellence in a tempestuous season with teammate Ralf Schumacher, outscoring the young German by 20 points to 13, although the season included a few coming togethers by the Jordan pair. His move to Benetton the 1998 season was a controversial one with Gaincarlo’s manager and Benetton chief Flavio Briatore taking the Jordan team to court to secure his services. In his first season with the Italian outfit he got off to a shaky start but slowly found his feet towards the end of the season including a pole position at the A1-Ring in Austria. Fisichella further distinguished himself against team mate Alex Wurz during both 1999 and 2000, regularly out-qualifying and out-racing the Austrian. He was responsible for 13 out of Benetton's 16 points in 1999, and 18 out the team's total of 20 constructors' points in 2000. Much vaunted as a young pretender to the F1 crown a couple of seasons back, Giancarlo has (thus far) failed to show the sort of class needed to reach the highest level. However, a lot of this is down to the poor equipment at his disposal. 2000 started off well, with five points finishes in the first eight races, but he then began to lose focus as the season drew to a close and the Italian's season ended on a low note. 2001 has seen a return to the kind of form he has shown prior to 2000. The new wide-angle Renault engine has meant the Benetton have been way off the pace – often qualifying on the last two rows, but Giancarlo never gave up trying and was rewarded with a brilliant 3rd at Spa. He out performed his much vaunted teammate, Jenson Button, in nearly every race.
FACT FILE	Born 14th January 1973, in Rome.
	Lives - Monte Carlo, Monaco.
	Nationality - Italian.
	Engaged to Luna, 1 daughter, Carlotta.
	Height - 1.72m.
	Weight - 69kg.
Career
1984	Italian Minikart Championship (60cc).
1985-87	Karting, 100cc Italian Cadets Championship.
1988-91	Karting,100cc International Class.
1992	Italian Formula 3 Championship – Finishes in 8th place with a 1st in the Imola Grand Prix.
1993	Italian Formula 3 Championship - 2nd Pole Position and 2nd in the Monaco Grand Prix.
1994	Italian Formula 3 Champion. 10 wins, 5 second places, 3 third places, 11 pole positions. Pole position and victory at the Monaco Grand Prix.
1995	Secures his first F1 drive, as test driver for Minardi. 2nd in the Motor Show Challenge. DTM/ITC - 2nd in race at Mugello.
1996	One of 4 drivers who race for Minardi, gets his chance in 8 races, but without much result in an unreliable car and old engine. Also works as Ferrari test driver. Wins the Bologna Supersprint with Benetton.
1997	Joins Jordan for his first full season in F1 and finishes in an excellent 8th in the drivers championship with 20 points. Claims two podiums, 3rd in Canada and 2nd in Belgium, with 4th in San Marino, Italy and Austria, and a 6th in Monaco. He has the fastest lap in Spain and leads the German Grand prix for 7 laps.
1998	Flavio Briatore brings him to Benetton where he finishes 9th in the drivers championship scoring 16 points. Highlights are a 2nd place at Monaco and Canada, and his only pole position to date in Austria.
1999	2nd season with Benetton, 9th in the drivers championship with 13 points. 1 podium – a 2nd in Canada.
2000	3rd year with Benetton, 6th in the drivers championship with 18 points. 3 podium finishes – a 2nd in Brazil, 3rd in Monaco and Canada.
2001	4th and last year with Benetton, finishes 11th in the drivers championship with 8 points, a great drive brings him 3rd place in Belgium with a vastly underpowered Renault engine.
2002	Rejoins Jordan Grand Prix on a 3 year contract.