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Last edited on 2009-11-27 04:06:00 by StanBAdditions:
Luca got his chance the following year and was equal to teammate [[MartiniPierluigi Pierluigi Martini]]. Unfortunately Ligier had just snatched the Mugen-Honda engines from Minardi so the M195 was not allowed to shine with its underpowered Ford. When the money started to run out Minardi had to take on pay driver [[LamyPedro Pedro Lamy]] and, based on form, [[MartiniPierluigi Martini]] got the elbow. In the final race of the season Luca was unable to start because of electrics and [[LamyPedro Pedro]] went on to score a point. He kept the seat for '96 and Luca was sent into the clutches of Forti. The mobile yellow chicanes were notorious, when they could beat the new 107% qualifying rule. They didn't very often and Forti folded mid-season.
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Revision [114]
Edited on 2009-11-27 04:05:37 by StanBAdditions:
Minardi fans have a particularly soft spot for the Italian as he personifies so much of the team's story. Sadly, his luck is appalling and who can forget his tears at the Nürburgring when World Championship points were so close before his mechanical and emotional breakdowns? As a result he retains the dubious honour of being the driver with the most F1 starts without a single point to his name (48 starts, nil points).
In 1987 16-year-old Luca won the Italian karting title and three years later he was beating the likes of [[ZanardiAlessandro Alessandro Zanardi]] in domestic Formula 3 races. In 1991 his sudden winning streak attracted suspicion from other teams and after failing one scrutineering session he finished the championship fourth. The following year, 1992, he graduated to the international F3000 championship and blew away the likes of Rubens Barrichello, Olivier Panis and David Coulthard. However, it means he has membership of an exclusive club. No winner of the title has progressed to victory in the Formula One World Championship. From Danner to Alesi to Fittipaldi to Badoer. Maybe Montoya, Heidfeld or, dare I say, Wilson will break this jinx one day.
Anyway, you have to be pretty handy to win in F3000 and in '93 with a spring in his step Luca got his big break in Formula One. Unfortunately it was with Lola Scuderia Italia. The car stank, he failed to qualify twice and they packed up before the end of the season. It says something about his subsequent luck that seventh place at Imola (trailing Barbazza's Minardi) is the high-water mark of his F1 racing career. The silver lining was his success in frequently outpacing his vastly experienced teammate and compatriot [[AlboretoMichele Michele Alboreto]]. The same season Rubens Barrichello signed for Jordan and look what happened to his career! Almost a decade on it must be extremely frustrating for Luca to be pounding the tracks as Ferrari's test driver only to hand over the keys to Rubens come the weekend.
But back to '93. At season's end Luca and [[AlboretoMichele Michele]] landed tests with Benetton but neither went well. JJ Lehto was chosen to partner Michael Schumacher in 1994 and, as the Lola outfit had merged with Minardi, both its drivers signed up at [[Faenza]]. Luca was test driver although, going by the '93 results, he should have been racing with [[AlboretoMichele Michele]] testing.
Luca got his chance the following year and was equal to teammate [[MartiniPierluigi Pierluigi Martini]]. Unfortunately Ligier had just snatched the Mugen-Honda engines from Minardi so the M195 was not allowed to shine with its underpowered Ford. When the money started to run out Minardi had to take on pay driver [[LamyPedro Pedro Lamy]] and, based on form, [[MartiniPierluigi Martini]] got the elbow. In the final race of the season Luca was unable to start because of electrics and [[LamyPerdo Pedro]] went on to score a point. He kept the seat for '96 and Luca was sent into the clutches of Forti. The mobile yellow chicanes were notorious, when they could beat the new 107% qualifying rule. They didn't very often and Forti folded mid-season.
Which brings us to the dark clouds above the Nurburgring. Starting 19th Luca made all the right calls as others lost their heads and grip. Near the end he found himself fourth only for the gearbox to seize. Luca got out, crumpled beside the car and cried. It was heartbreaking to watch and it still is just thinking about it. Impressive teammate [[GeneMarc Marc Gene]] brought Spanish sponsorship but Minardi also needed more cash and that meant a pay driver for 2000. It was the end of Luca's Minardi career and he was now 'assured' by Todt he was Ferrari's first reserve driver should anything happen to Schumi or Rubens. Sadly, he seems resigned to the well-paid purgatory of driving, but not racing, one of the best cars ever built.
In 1987 16-year-old Luca won the Italian karting title and three years later he was beating the likes of [[ZanardiAlessandro Alessandro Zanardi]] in domestic Formula 3 races. In 1991 his sudden winning streak attracted suspicion from other teams and after failing one scrutineering session he finished the championship fourth. The following year, 1992, he graduated to the international F3000 championship and blew away the likes of Rubens Barrichello, Olivier Panis and David Coulthard. However, it means he has membership of an exclusive club. No winner of the title has progressed to victory in the Formula One World Championship. From Danner to Alesi to Fittipaldi to Badoer. Maybe Montoya, Heidfeld or, dare I say, Wilson will break this jinx one day.
Anyway, you have to be pretty handy to win in F3000 and in '93 with a spring in his step Luca got his big break in Formula One. Unfortunately it was with Lola Scuderia Italia. The car stank, he failed to qualify twice and they packed up before the end of the season. It says something about his subsequent luck that seventh place at Imola (trailing Barbazza's Minardi) is the high-water mark of his F1 racing career. The silver lining was his success in frequently outpacing his vastly experienced teammate and compatriot [[AlboretoMichele Michele Alboreto]]. The same season Rubens Barrichello signed for Jordan and look what happened to his career! Almost a decade on it must be extremely frustrating for Luca to be pounding the tracks as Ferrari's test driver only to hand over the keys to Rubens come the weekend.
But back to '93. At season's end Luca and [[AlboretoMichele Michele]] landed tests with Benetton but neither went well. JJ Lehto was chosen to partner Michael Schumacher in 1994 and, as the Lola outfit had merged with Minardi, both its drivers signed up at [[Faenza]]. Luca was test driver although, going by the '93 results, he should have been racing with [[AlboretoMichele Michele]] testing.
Luca got his chance the following year and was equal to teammate [[MartiniPierluigi Pierluigi Martini]]. Unfortunately Ligier had just snatched the Mugen-Honda engines from Minardi so the M195 was not allowed to shine with its underpowered Ford. When the money started to run out Minardi had to take on pay driver [[LamyPedro Pedro Lamy]] and, based on form, [[MartiniPierluigi Martini]] got the elbow. In the final race of the season Luca was unable to start because of electrics and [[LamyPerdo Pedro]] went on to score a point. He kept the seat for '96 and Luca was sent into the clutches of Forti. The mobile yellow chicanes were notorious, when they could beat the new 107% qualifying rule. They didn't very often and Forti folded mid-season.
Which brings us to the dark clouds above the Nurburgring. Starting 19th Luca made all the right calls as others lost their heads and grip. Near the end he found himself fourth only for the gearbox to seize. Luca got out, crumpled beside the car and cried. It was heartbreaking to watch and it still is just thinking about it. Impressive teammate [[GeneMarc Marc Gene]] brought Spanish sponsorship but Minardi also needed more cash and that meant a pay driver for 2000. It was the end of Luca's Minardi career and he was now 'assured' by Todt he was Ferrari's first reserve driver should anything happen to Schumi or Rubens. Sadly, he seems resigned to the well-paid purgatory of driving, but not racing, one of the best cars ever built.
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In 1987 16-year-old Luca won the Italian karting title and three years later he was beating the likes of Alessandro Zanardi in domestic Formula 3 races. In 1991 his sudden winning streak attracted suspicion from other teams and after failing one scrutineering session he finished the championship fourth. The following year, 1992, he graduated to the international F3000 championship and blew away the likes of Rubens Barrichello, Olivier Panis and David Coulthard. However, it means he has membership of an exclusive club. No winner of the title has progressed to victory in the Formula One World Championship. From Danner to Alesi to Fittipaldi to Badoer. Maybe Montoya, Heidfeld or, dare I say, Wilson will break this jinx one day.
Anyway, you have to be pretty handy to win in F3000 and in '93 with a spring in his step Luca got his big break in Formula One. Unfortunately it was with Lola Scuderia Italia. The car stank, he failed to qualify twice and they packed up before the end of the season. It says something about his subsequent luck that seventh place at Imola (trailing Barbazza's Minardi) is the high-water mark of his F1 racing career. The silver lining was his success in frequently outpacing his vastly experienced teammate and compatriot Michele Alboreto. The same season Rubens Barrichello signed for Jordan and look what happened to his career! Almost a decade on it must be extremely frustrating for Luca to be pounding the tracks as Ferrari's test driver only to hand over the keys to Rubens come the weekend.
But back to '93. At season's end Luca and Michele landed tests with Benetton but neither went well. JJ Lehto was chosen to partner Michael Schumacher in 1994 and, as the Lola outfit had merged with Minardi, both its drivers signed up at Faenza. Luca was test driver although, going by the '93 results, he should have been racing with Michele testing.
Luca got his chance the following year and was equal to teammate Pierluigi Martini. Unfortunately Ligier had just snatched the Mugen-Honda engines from Minardi so the M195 was not allowed to shine with its underpowered Ford. When the money started to run out Minardi had to take on pay driver Pedro Lamy and, based on form, Martini got the elbow. In the final race of the season Luca was unable to start because of electrics and Pedro went on to score a point. He kept the seat for '96 and Luca was sent into the clutches of Forti. The mobile yellow chicanes were notorious, when they could beat the new 107% qualifying rule. They didn't very often and Forti folded mid-season.
Which brings us to the dark clouds above the Nurburgring. Starting 19th Luca made all the right calls as others lost their heads and grip. Near the end he found himself fourth only for the gearbox to seize. Luca got out, crumpled beside the car and cried. It was heartbreaking to watch and it still is just thinking about it. Impressive teammate Marc Gene brought Spanish sponsorship but Minardi also needed more cash and that meant a pay driver for 2000. It was the end of Luca's Minardi career and he was now 'assured' by Todt he was Ferrari's first reserve driver should anything happen to Schumi or Rubens. Sadly, he seems resigned to the well-paid purgatory of driving, but not racing, one of the best cars ever built.
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//This page belongs to the [[CategoryDrivers drivers]] category.//
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**Place of birth:** Montebelluna, Italy
