The ex-F1 drivers: Gianni Morbidelli, between dream and nightmare

Gianni Morbidelli’s career path is strangely similar to that of Nicola Larini, whose career we discussed a few months ago. He started karting recreationally at the age of 12. He became the Italian F3 champion (like Larini) and European F3 champion in the same year, followed by a brief stint in F3000 (like Larini) and a move to touring cars. He reached the top category in 1990 despite his very limited experience in single-seaters.

Launched into the deep end

He is placed in teams with modest budgets (like Larini) thanks to a 3-year contract as a test driver at Ferrari. « You cannot imagine what a young guy feels when he finds himself for the first time on an F1 grid, among drivers like Prost, Senna, Mansell, Berger… ». « I didn’t know if I was living a dream or a nightmare. The pressure was so intense, but the excitement was also fantastic ».

The Pesaro native finds himself behind the wheel of a BMS Scuderia Italia and then a Minardi: « I remember Senna, he was the only one who came to see me in my garage before the Phoenix GP tests. He said to me: “Ciao, I’m Ayrton, welcome to F1.” »

He had the privilege of being a Ferrari test driver for several years (at the same time as… Larini) and racing in a Grand Prix for the Scuderia (like… you know who). It was during this unique race for the reds that he scored his first point thanks to his sixth place… more precisely half a point since the race was stopped before its end due to heavy rain, while aiming for the podium.

It was a one-off appearance during the last GP of the 1991 season: « We were on vacation in Port Douglas, my parents and I, between the Japanese GP and the last race in Australia, when I received a call from Ferrari. They were direct: “Next Sunday you will drive in Adelaide with our car in place of Prost.” At first, I thought it was a joke, but I quickly realized that my dream was becoming a reality. It was like touching the sky with a fingertip, a mix of emotions. »

He thus replaces his idol Alain Prost, who was just pushed out by the Scuderia after the Frenchman’s virulent criticisms.

Difficult Years and a Second Chance

Unfortunately, Ferrari does not continue with this experience. In 1992, he returns to Minardi, which swaps the Cavallino’s V12 for the competing Lamborghini. The season is lackluster, and financial constraints force him to retire from F1 in 1993. **« Like in life, it is difficult to always stay at the top. One day you are a star and the next day nobody calls you. »** He once again turns to Italian Super Touring, driving the championship-winning Alfa Romeo 155 GTA of… Nicola Larini.

He wins two races and is offered a return to the top category with the Footwork team. « Jackie Oliver [the director] helped me a lot and gave me a great opportunity, a second life in the big circus. He managed to score 3 points during the 1994 season despite a recurring lack of reliability: 12 retirements in 16 races!

The following year, he finds himself in a part-time position, sharing his seat with a paying driver. He still adds 5 points to his tally, including 4 points from the third place at the 1995 Australian GP (his best result), becoming the driver who scored the most for the English team.

1996 is once again a year without a Grand Prix for Morbidelli. He holds a test driver position for Jordan and continues with Supertourisme in parallel, successfully.

1997 is his last opportunity in F1. He is hired by Sauber to replace… Larini!

The season is catastrophic, particularly in terms of relationships with certain team members. He must leave F1 following a serious accident before the end of the season. It will take him a year and a half to recover from his left arm injury.

The Second Career of Gianni

For 15 years, Gianni Morbidelli has traveled through various national and international championships. He crossed paths again with Nicola Larini in the European and World Touring Car Championships. He has raced in more than a dozen different categories (FIA GT, ADAC GT, BTCC, ETCC, WTCC, V8 Supercars, Speedcar Series, …), often with success.

At 46 years old, retirement doesn’t seem to be on the horizon for him, as evidenced by his title /f1/actualite/16622-les-anciens-de-la-f1-nicola-larini-une-carriere-discrete.html in the Superstars International Series (newly renamed EuroV8 Series – the equivalent of the Australian V8 Supercars).

It is this experience that the Münnich Motorsport structure sought for the 2014 WTCC season, under the All-Inkl Racing banner. Morbidelli will return to this competition alongside René Münnich, the team owner. He will drive the Chevrolet Cruze RML (the reigning champion car) modified to meet the 2014 specifications. He will face Sébastien Loeb, Yvan Muller (4-time world champion) on Citroën, and former F1 drivers Gabriele Tarquini and Tiago Monteiro in the official Hondas… quite a challenge.

Photos: giannimorbidelli.com