Alessandro Nannini

Alessandro "Sandro" Nannini (born 7 July 1959 ) is a former racing driver from Italy. He is the younger brother of rock-singer Gianna Nannini.

Biography
Nannini was born in Siena. 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 7th overall in 1983, he was signed by Lancia to drive their fast but fragile LC2 prototype in the World Sportscar Championship, winning the 1000km Kyalami with Riccardo Patrese. For 1985 Giancarlo Minardi wanted Nannini to drive his new Formula One car but Nannini was controversially denied a superlicence, his former F2 team-mate Pierluigi Martini taking the drive instead. Nannini continued with Lancia instead, his best result being 3rd in the 1000km Monza.

For 1986 Nannini was finally granted a superlicence 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 team-mate Andrea de Cesaris in 1986. 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 3rd places on his way to 10th overall in the title race.

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, culminating in a strong performance at Suzuka. There he lay 3rd behind the two McLaren cars of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost when they collided, giving Nannini the lead. Senna rejoined after being push-started, and pitted to replace his front wing, rejoining behind Nannini. Nannini was passed by Senna, who went on to cross the finish line first, but the Brazilian was disqualified for missing the chicane following his collision with Prost, handing Nannini what proved to be his only Formula 1 win. He rounded off the season with an impressive 2nd place in torrential rain at Adelaide, moving him to 6th overall in the standings.

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 2nd. He also challenged at the following Hungarian Grand Prix, hounding leader Boutsen until being controversially pushed off by the following Senna. One week after the 1990 Spanish Grand Prix, where he had finished 3rd, Nannini was involved in a helicopter crash in hometown Siena in which his right forearm was severed. The injury healed thanks to successful 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. Despite his injuries meaning a Grand Prix comeback was impossible Ferrari honoured their long standing offer of a test at the end of the 1991 season.

Despite only regaining partial use of his right hand, Nannini was able to carve out a successful career in touring car racing with Alfa Romeo in the 1990s - placing 4th overall in the 1994 DTM and 3rd in the 1996 ITC.

Nannini competed for Mercedes in the 1997 FIA GT Championship finishing 6th overall 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 Sandro 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, in the first time he has raced a powerful single seater since his F1 career ended in 1990, alongside drivers including his former Benetton team mate Johnny Herbert.

He is member of the Italy-USA Foundation.

Complete Formula One results
(key) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)