# Alessandro Nannini

Alessandro "Sandro" Nannini (born 7 July 1959) is an Italian former racing driver, who competed in Formula One from 1986 to 1990. Nannini won the 1989 Japanese Grand Prix with Benetton.
Born in Siena, Nannini is the younger brother of musician Gianna Nannini. He began his career rallying in a Lancia Stratos before switching to open-wheel racing in 1981. The following year, he started competing for Minardi in European Formula Two, where he remained for three seasons. Nannini also made appearances in the World Sportscar Championship for Martini, winning the 1000km of Kyalami in 1984 and entering three editions of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He was granted an FIA Super License in 1986—having been controversially denied one the year prior—and made his Formula One debut at the Brazilian Grand Prix with Minardi. After 26 retirements in 30 starts across two seasons at Minardi, Nannini joined Benetton to partner Thierry Boutsen. He retained his seat in 1989 after scoring podiums at the British and Spanish Grands Prix. Nannini took his only victory in Formula One at the Japanese Grand Prix, inheriting the win from Ayrton Senna following his infamous disqualification. Several podiums followed in 1990 as he was partnered by Nelson Piquet, including a second-placed finish at the German Grand Prix.
In October 1990, Nannini severed his right forearm in a helicopter accident at his vineyard in Siena, ending his Formula One career with one win, two fastest laps and nine podiums. He returned to racing in 1993, competing in four seasons of the Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft—later known as the International Touring Car Championship—with Alfa Corse, finishing third in the 1996 standings. Nannini became a race-winner in the 1997 FIA GT Championship with Mercedes, before retiring at the end of the year.

## Biography

Nannini was born in Siena on 7 July 1959. He began racing in a Lancia Stratos at national rally events before switching to Formula Italia in 1981. From 1982 to 1984, he raced for Minardi in Formula 2, attracting some attention for his speed in the uncompetitive car. Though his best season saw him only seventh overall in 1983, he was signed by Lancia to drive their fast but fragile LC2 prototype in the World Sportscar Championship, setting fastest lap at the 1984 24 Hours of Le Mans where he finished eighth with Bob Wollek, and later that year winning the 1984 1000 km of Kyalami with Riccardo Patrese. For 1985, Giancarlo Minardi wanted Nannini to drive his new Formula One car, but Nannini was controversially denied an FIA Super Licence with his former F2 teammate Pierluigi Martini taking the drive instead. Nannini continued with Lancia instead, his best result being third in the 1000km Monza.
For 1986, Nannini was finally granted a Super Licence and signed up with Minardi's Grand Prix team, where he stayed until 1987. The car was uncompetitive and unreliable (Nannini was classified only four times from 30 starts with the team), largely due to its disappointing Motori Moderni V6 engine. However, Nannini's speed was noticed by many, especially after he largely outperformed experienced teammate Andrea de Cesaris in 1986. The following year, in his spare time, Nannini paired with veteran road race driver Giorgio Marin to win the 1987 Mille Miglia.
Benetton signed Nannini for 1988 to drive alongside Thierry Boutsen. He generally performed very well, often out-pacing the highly regarded Belgian if not matching his consistency. He scored his first point in his second race for the team and took two third places on his way to tenth overall in the championship.
With Boutsen leaving for Williams Nannini was promoted to team leader at Benetton alongside young Englishman Johnny Herbert and delivered a number of strong performances, especially at Suzuka. There he lay third behind the two McLaren cars of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost when they collided, giving Nannini the lead. Prost retired whereas Senna rejoined after being push-started and pitted to replace his front wing, trailing Nannini in the race. Nannini was eventually passed by Senna who went on to cross the finish line first, however, the Brazilian was subsequently disqualified for missing the chicane following his collision with Prost. The disqualification handed Nannini what proved to be his only Formula One win. He rounded off the season with an impressive second place in torrential rain at Adelaide, moving him to sixth overall in the championship.
For 1990, he was joined in the team by Nelson Piquet and reverted to being the number two driver. However, he impressed by largely matching the pace of the three-times World Champion. At Hockenheim he led the race by deciding against stopping for tyres, resisting Senna for 16 laps before fading grip dropped him to second. He also challenged at the following Hungarian Grand Prix, hounding leader Boutsen until being controversially pushed off by the following Senna.
On 12 October 1990, the week after the Spanish Grand Prix, where he had finished third, Nannini was involved in a helicopter crash over his Siena vineyard, suffering a severed right forearm. The injury healed thanks to microsurgery but it ended his Formula One career. Nannini had been reconfirmed by Benetton for 1991 but Ferrari had a long-standing interest in the driver and were considering him as a replacement for the departing Nigel Mansell.
Once sufficiently recovered, Ferrari offered Nannini a test drive on its private Fiorano Circuit in 1992. Nannini completed a total of 38 laps driving Jean Alesi's Ferrari F92A, which featured a specially modified steering wheel. In 1996, Benetton's Flavio Briatore also honoured the promise of a test drive, which took place at Estoril aboard a B196.
Despite only regaining partial use of his right hand, Nannini was able to carve out a career in touring car racing with Alfa Romeo in the 1990s, placing fourth overall in the 1994 DTM championship and third in the 1996 International Touring Car Championship.
Nannini competed for Mercedes in the 1997 FIA GT Championship, finishing sixth overall and winning a race at Suzuka, before hanging up his helmet. He now runs a chain of upmarket cafes bearing his name, with branches as far flung as Indonesia.
2007 saw Nannini's return to the track after a decade in retirement. He agreed to take part in the short-lived Grand Prix Masters championship for Formula One veterans, alongside drivers including his former Benetton teammate Johnny Herbert.
He is a member of the Italy–USA Foundation.
Matteo Nannini, a son of a first cousin of Alessandro, is also a racing driver, and has raced at the Formula 3 level as recently as 2021, as well as having competed in Indy NXT in 2023.

## Racing record
### Career summary

| Season | Series | Team | Races | Wins | Poles | F/Laps | Podiums | Points | Position |
| 1982 | European Formula Two | Minardi | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 10th |
| 1982 | World Sportscar Championship | Martini Racing | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 18th |
| 1983 | European Formula Two | Minardi | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 7th |
| 1983 | World Sportscar Championship | Martini Racing | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 15 | 22nd |
| 1984 | European Formula Two | Minardi | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 10th |
| 1984 | World Sportscar Championship | Martini Racing | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 35 | 16th |
| 1985 | World Sportscar Championship | Martini Racing | 7 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 50 | 8th |
| 1986 | Formula One | Minardi Team | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC |
| 1986 | World Sportscar Championship | Martini Racing | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 15 | 34th |
| 1986 | World Sportscar Championship | Porsche Kremer Racing | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 34th |
| 1987 | Formula One | Minardi Team | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC |
| 1987 | World Touring Car Championship | Alfa Corse | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 59 | 24th |
| 1988 | Formula One | Benetton Formula Ltd. | 16 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 12 | 10th |
| 1989 | Formula One | Benetton Formula Ltd. | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 32 | 6th |
| 1990 | Formula One | Benetton Formula Ltd. | 14 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 21 | 8th |
| 1993 | Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft | Alfa Corse | 21 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 121 | 8th |
| 1994 | Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft | Alfa Corse | 24 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 149 | 4th |
| 1995 | Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft | Alfa Corse | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 44 | 11th |
| 1995 | International Touring Car Championship | Alfa Corse | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 15th |
| 1996 | International Touring Car Championship | Martini Alfa Corse | 24 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 180 | 3rd |
| 1997 | FIA GT Championship | AMG-Mercedes | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 34 | 5th |

### Complete European Formula Two Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | Pos. | Pts |
| 1982 | Minardi Team Srl | Minardi Fly 281B | BMW | SIL 5 | HOC 9 | THR 12 | NÜR 8 | MUG 10 | VAL Ret | PAU DNQ | SPA Ret | HOC Ret | DON DSQ | MAN Ret | PER Ret | MIS 2 | 10th | 8 |
| 1983 | Minardi Team Srl | Minardi M283 | BMW | SIL | THR 9 | HOC 5 | NÜR 2 | VAL 7 | PAU Ret | JAR Ret | DON Ret | MIS Ret | PER 11 | ZOL Ret | MUG 4 | | 7th | 11 |
| 1984 | Minardi Team Srl | Minardi M283 | BMW | SIL 9 | HOC Ret | THR 7 | VAL Ret | MUG Ret | PAU Ret | HOC 4 | MIS Ret | PER 3 | DON 10 | BRH 5 | | | 10th | 9 |

### 24 Hours of Le Mans results

| Year | Team | Co-Drivers | Car | Class | Laps | Pos. | Class Pos. |
| 1983 | Martini Racing | Paolo Barilla Jean-Claude Andruet | Lancia LC2-Ferrari | C | 135 | DNF | DNF |
| 1984 | Martini Racing | Bob Wollek | Lancia LC2-Ferrari | C1 | 326 | 8th | 8th |
| 1985 | Martini Racing | Bob Wollek Lucio Cesario | Lancia LC2-Ferrari | C1 | 360 | 6th | 6th |

### Complete Formula One results

(key) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | WDC | Pts |
| 1986 | Minardi Team | Minardi M185B | Motori Moderni Tipo 615–90 1.5 V6t | BRA Ret | ESP DNS | SMR Ret | MON DNQ | BEL Ret | CAN Ret | DET Ret | FRA Ret | GBR Ret | GER Ret | HUN Ret | | ITA Ret | POR Ret | MEX 14 | AUS Ret | NC | 0 |
| 1986 | Minardi Team | Minardi M186 | Motori Moderni Tipo 615–90 1.5 V6t | | | | | | | | | | | | AUT Ret | | | | | | | NC | 0 |
| 1987 | Minardi Team | Minardi M187 | Motori Moderni Tipo 615–90 1.5 V6t | BRA Ret | SMR Ret | BEL Ret | MON Ret | DET Ret | FRA Ret | GBR Ret | GER Ret | HUN 11 | AUT Ret | ITA 16 | POR 11 | ESP Ret | MEX Ret | JPN Ret | AUS Ret | NC | 0 |
| 1988 | Benetton Formula Ltd. | Benetton B188 | Ford Cosworth DFR 3.5 V8 | BRA Ret | SMR 6 | MON Ret | MEX 7 | CAN Ret | DET Ret | FRA 6 | GBR 3 | GER 18 | HUN Ret | BEL DSQ | ITA 9 | POR Ret | ESP 3 | JPN 5 | AUS Ret | 10th | 12 |
| 1989 | Benetton Formula Ltd. | Benetton B188 | Ford Cosworth DFR 3.5 V8 | BRA 6 | SMR 3 | MON 8 | MEX 4 | USA Ret | CAN DSQ | | | | | | | | | | | 6th | 32 |
| 1989 | Benetton Formula Ltd. | Benetton B189 | Ford HBA1/4 3.5 V8 | | | | | | | FRA Ret | GBR 3 | GER Ret | HUN Ret | BEL 5 | ITA Ret | POR 4 | ESP Ret | JPN 1 | AUS 2 | 6th | 32 |
| 1990 | Benetton Formula Ltd. | Benetton B189B | Ford HBA4 3.5 V8 | USA 11 | BRA 10 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 8th | 21 |
| 1990 | Benetton Formula Ltd. | Benetton B190 | Ford HBA4 3.5 V8 | | | SMR 3 | MON Ret | CAN Ret | MEX 4 | FRA 16 | GBR Ret | GER 2 | HUN Ret | BEL 4 | ITA 8 | POR 6 | ESP 3 | JPN | AUS | 8th | 21 |

### Complete Deutsche Tourenwagen Meisterschaft results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | Car | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | Pos. | Pts |
| 1993 | Alfa Corse | Alfa Romeo 155 V6 Ti | ZOL 1 Ret | ZOL 2 3 | HOC 1 13 | HOC 2 8 | NÜR 1 10 | NÜR 2 4 | WUN 1 2 | WUN 2 Ret | NÜR 1 4 | NÜR 2 4 | NOR 1 Ret | NOR 2 Ret | DON 1 Ret | DON 2 DNS | DIE 1 Ret | DIE 2 18 | ALE 1 3 | ALE 2 Ret | AVU 1 5 | AVU 2 Ret | HOC 1 1 | HOC 2 1 | | | 8th | 121 |
| 1994 | Alfa Corse | Alfa Romeo 155 V6 Ti | ZOL 1 1 | ZOL 2 1 | HOC 1 4 | HOC 2 1 | NÜR 1 7 | NÜR 2 7 | MUG 1 17 | MUG 2 Ret | NÜR 1 1 | NÜR 2 7 | NOR 1 Ret | NOR 2 7 | DON 1 1 | DON 2 DSQ | DIE 1 5 | DIE 2 4 | NÜR 1 8 | NÜR 2 5 | AVU 1 19 | AVU 2 5 | ALE 1 Ret | ALE 2 12 | HOC 1 6 | HOC 2 Ret | 4th | 149 |
| 1995 | Alfa Corse | Alfa Romeo 155 V6 Ti | HOC 1 18 | HOC 2 DNS | AVU 1 3 | AVU 2 Ret | NOR 1 3 | NOR 2 9† | DIE 1 4 | DIE 2 Ret | NÜR 1 Ret | NÜR 2 Ret | ALE 1 11 | ALE 2 Ret | HOC 1 5 | HOC 2 12 | | | | | | | | | | | 11th | 44 |
* † — Retired, but was classified as he completed 90% of the winner's race distance.

### Complete International Touring Car Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Team | Car | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | Pos. | Pts |
| 1995 | Alfa Corse | Alfa Romeo 155 V6 Ti | MUG 1 5 | MUG 2 Ret | HEL 1 Ret | HEL 2 Ret | DON 1 DNS | DON 2 DNS | EST 1 8 | EST 2 7 | MAG 1 Ret | MAG 2 9 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 15th | 17 |
| 1996 | Martini Alfa Corse | Alfa Romeo 155 V6 Ti | HOC 1 10 | HOC 2 13 | NÜR 1 EX | NÜR 2 EX | EST 1 1 | EST 2 1 | HEL 1 14 | HEL 2 4 | NOR 1 Ret | NOR 2 Ret | DIE 1 6 | DIE 2 Ret | SIL 1 17 | SIL 2 11 | NÜR 1 1 | NÜR 2 1 | MAG 1 1 | MAG 2 1 | MUG 1 11 | MUG 2 Ret | HOC 1 6 | HOC 2 Ret | INT 1 1 | INT 2 5 | SUZ 1 10 | SUZ 2 5 | 3rd | 180 |

### Complete FIA GT Championship results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | Class | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Pos. | Points |
| 1997 | AMG Mercedes | GT1 | Mercedes-Benz CLK GTR | Mercedes-Benz LS600 6.0L V12 | HOC 13 | SIL 13 | HEL 11 | NÜR 2 | SPA 11 | A1R 2 | SUZ 1 | DON 2 | MUG 2 | SEB Ret | LAG 8 | 5th | 34 |