Andrea de Cesaris

Andrea de Cesaris (31 May 1959 - 5 October 2014) was an Italian racing driver who competed in F1.5 from 1980-1994, missing only the 1981 season. He is statistically the greatest driver - ahead of his former teammate Michael Schumacher - to never claim the World Drivers' Championship, winning 15 times over nearly 200 Grands Prix. His best season result came in 1991 whilst driving for debutantes, Jordan. That year he'd win three races and score 48 points, but end up second to three-time champion Nelson Piquet. 1983, 1984, and 1992 were other strong seasons, but 1991 was really the only time he was in true championship contention.

On top of the infamous records for most consecutive DNF's and most retirements in a season, Andrea also set and still holds the record - albeit now tied with Giancarlo Fisichella - for most season's with a race win, at 10. Alongside his longevity, he also proved an ability to be successful with nearly any team, winning races for 7 of the 9 that he drove for and scoring podiums for all bar Minardi.

Despite his reputation as "Andrea de Crasheris" and that he supposedly "Never took the same line twice", he did remarkably well at street circuits, especially Monaco where he won three times, formerly a record. In fittingly bizarre and chaotic fashion, two of Andrea's fifteen wins came after his car ground to a halt meters from the finish line, necessitating he hop out and push at the 1987 Belgian and 1991 Mexican Grands Prix. Monaco 1982 also saw him win in odd circumstances as despite running dry on fuel a full lap before the end, he made it further than anyone else could, therefore he was classified the victor. A couple races later, the Canadian Grand Prix was a similar story with him again hitting empty before the end and yet still appearing on the podium, this time in 3rd.

## Career

### Early years

de Cesaris's father was well connected to Marlboro who'd back him his whole career, even in lower formulae the instantly recognisable chevrons were all over his cars. Speaking of lower formulae, in 1979 he'd finish a respectable second in British F3 before moving up to European F2 for 1980. Competing with Ron Dennis and his Project Four team, Andrea would show well being beaten only by the more competitive Toleman's and Teo Fabi, whom he'd been a match for all year until the final round...which he missed due to the Alfa Romeo Grand Prix squad requesting his services. Alfa needed a replacement after the death of lead driver Patrick Depailler, and were unhappy with the performances of their reserve, Vittorio Brambilla. Andrea got the call up for the flyaways in North America and did well compared to teammate Bruno Giacomelli, being only four tenths off his compatriot in qualifying in Canada.

For 1981, he got a shot with the other main Marlboro backed team, McLaren, as they prepared to re-enter F1 after three decent years in F1.5. With their new driver, they also had new management as Ron Dennis merged Project Four Racing into McLaren and took control of the outfit. '81 would be a tough year for Andrea however, only scoring 1 point and being branded a crash magnet. He claimed his cause wasn't helped by a lack of preparation - only getting one twenty lap test at Silverstone before his debut with the team at Long Beach - and that he got little in the way of support from McLaren, only present there to keep Marlboro happy...considering he was only 22 years old and in his debut season, team support and more opportunities to gain experience probably would've helped to no end.

### Alfa Romeo

For 1982 he'd be shipped back to Alfa Romeo and by extension F1.5 - where he'd ultimately stay for the rest of his career. The next two years would still be relatively fruitful however as Andrea would take a litany of poles and fastest laps, as well as three wins and his first top five in points in 1983. He was even in contention for a few outright victories at Long Beach and Monaco in 1982, and Belgium 1983.

## Results

Key: **Bold** = Pole Position; *Italics* = Fastest Lap

\*- Half points were awarded as less than 75% of the scheduled distance was completed.