Early Years and Beginnings in Racing
Bruno Giacomelli, born on 10 September 1952 in Poncarale, Brescia, Italy, embarked on his racing journey in Formula Italia, clinching the championship in 1975. His ascent in motorsports continued in 1976 with a move to Formula Three, where he competed with March and finished runner-up in the B.A.R.C Championship, also securing the B.R.D.C. title. Giacomelli’s prowess was evident in his dominant performance at the 1976 Monaco Grand Prix Formula Three support race. In 1977, he progressed to Formula Two, aligning closely with Robin Herd and the March factory. Despite a challenging start, including a retirement at the Formula Two Pau Grand Prix, Giacomelli achieved three wins in 1977 and finished fifth in the championship. His Formula One debut came in the same year at the Italian Grand Prix with McLaren, although it ended in a retirement due to engine issues.
Major Successes and Highlights
Giacomelli’s career peaked in 1978 when he dominated the Formula Two season with the Polifac BMW Junior Team. He won eight out of twelve races and secured the European Formula Two Championship title, becoming the first Italian to achieve this feat. In Formula One, after a sole race in 1977, Giacomelli participated in five races in 1978 for McLaren. His switch to Alfa Romeo in 1979 marked a significant phase, although initial results were modest. The 1980 season showed promise with Giacomelli achieving pole position at the United States Grand Prix and securing two fifth-place finishes. His best Formula One season was in 1981, where he finished 15th in the drivers’ standings, highlighted by a podium finish at the Caesars Palace Grand Prix.
Life and Legacy
Post-Formula One, Giacomelli’s career included stints in CART, where he made 11 starts between 1984 and 1985, with a notable fifth-place finish at the Meadowlands street course in 1985. He also engaged in World Sportscar Championship races and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Giacomelli served as a test driver for the Leyton House March team and was offered a position with McLaren in 1990, which he declined. His final Formula One appearance was with the Life team in 1990, a challenging tenure marked by the team’s struggles with their car and engine. Giacomelli’s legacy in motorsports is marked by his versatility across different racing disciplines and his contributions to the teams he raced for.
Career Stats
| Year | Entrant | Chassis | Engine | WDC Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Marlboro Team McLaren | McLaren M23 | Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 | NC | 0 |
| 1978 | Marlboro Team McLaren | McLaren M26 | Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 | NC | 0 |
| 1979 | Autodelta | Alfa Romeo 177 / 179 | Alfa Romeo 115-12 3.0 F12 / Alfa Romeo 1260 3.0 V12 | NC | 0 |
| 1980 | Marlboro Team Alfa Romeo | Alfa Romeo 179 | Alfa Romeo 1260 3.0 V12 | 16th | 4 |
| 1981 | Marlboro Team Alfa Romeo | Alfa Romeo 179C / 179B | Alfa Romeo 1260 3.0 V12 | 15th | 7 |
| 1982 | Marlboro Team Alfa Romeo | Alfa Romeo 179D / 182 | Alfa Romeo 1260 3.0 V12 | 22nd | 2 |
| 1983 | Candy Toleman Motorsport | Toleman TG183B | Hart 415T 1.5 L4t | 19th | 1 |
| 1990 | Life Racing Engines | Life F190 | Life F35 3.5 W12 / Judd CV 3.5 V8 | NC | 0 |