Giancarlo Fisichella

Giancarlo Fisichella (born January 14, 1973 in Rome) is an Italian Formula One racing driver. Currently in the employ of the Renault team, he has also driven for Sauber, Jordan, Benetton and Minardi.

Related Topics:
January 14 - 1973 - Rome - Italian - Formula One - Renault - Sauber - Jordan - Benetton - Minardi

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Quiet, reserved, private, well liked, and undoubtedly fast, Fisichella was tipped early on to be a successor to greats like Prost, Senna, and Stewart. While he has consistently been faster than his teamates, it seems wherever he goes, luck goes the opposite way. Disappointing drives at independents Minardi and Jordan left him searching for an identity. He has expressed a continued interest in a drive for Ferrari, and it seemed like a move to Renault was the beginning of the realization of that dream, beginning with a spectacular win in Melbourne. And while he is still in the midst of one of his best seasons ever in Formula One, a series of mechanical difficulties quickly ended what could have been a promising run. The possibility of a consolation constructor's title will not ease the pain of another breakdown-filled year. However, with recent driver shakeups in nearly all the Formula One teams, a coveted drive with home-country team Ferrari is a possibility, but with the sudden emergence of Renault, a little luck might just see him climb the top step a few more times in the future.

Related Topics:
Prost - Senna - Stewart - Minardi - Jordan - Ferrari - Renault

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Like most current Formula One drivers, Fisichella began kart racing as a youngster. In 1992, he competed in the Italian Formula Three series, racing for the RC Motorsport team. He finished runner up in 1993, and in 1994 he won the championship, behind race victories in Monaco and Macau. He left open-wheel racing for a brief while, driving for Alfa Romeo in the international touring car series. In 1996, he made the move to Formula One, racing for Minardi for half the season before being replaced by Giovanni Lavaggi.

Related Topics:
Formula One drivers - Kart racing - 1992 - Formula Three - 1993 - 1994 - Monaco - Macau - Alfa Romeo - Touring car - 1996 - Giovanni Lavaggi

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Fisichella made his full F1 assault in 1997 with Jordan, scoring his first podium in Canada. In 1998, he scored his first pole position in Austria running with Benetton. In the next three seasons, however, good results were hard to come by at Benetton; he was not retained when Benetton became Renault. In 2002, he returned to Jordan, and won his first grand prix the next year under exceptional circumstances at the 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix. In 2004, he drove for Sauber, but managed to score only 22 points, finishing the year in 11th position.

Related Topics:
1997 - Canada - 1998 - Pole position - Austria - Seasons - 2002 - 2003 Brazilian Grand Prix - 2004

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Fisichella joined Renault alongside Fernando Alonso for the 2005 season, winning his second-ever race from pole at the 2005 Australian Grand Prix. This excellent start to the season has not been continued throughout — as of the British Grand Prix he suffered 4 Did-Not-Finishes (DNFs), 1 Did-Not-Start (DNS) (United States) and numerous technical glitches, e.g. stalling in the pitlane at both the French and British Grands Prix (which electronics should prevent). Racing commentator Tony Jardine has suggested that technical problems hampering his season are simply due to resources being directed at team mate (and World Championship leader) Alonso.

Related Topics:
Renault - Fernando Alonso - 2005 season - 2005 Australian Grand Prix - Tony Jardine

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