Luciano Burti

Luciano Burti: A Brief Glimpse into His Formula 1 Journey

Luciano Burti’s career in Formula 1, though brief, was marked by both promise and challenges. Born on 5th March 1975 in São Paulo, Brazil, Burti made his way through the ranks of motor racing, showcasing his talent in British Formula 3. Driving for the renowned Stewart Racing team, he finished as runner-up in his second F3 season in 1999. Despite being overshadowed by contemporaries like Jenson Button, Burti’s skill earned him a test role with the Stewart F1 team, leading to a pivotal moment in his career: a test driver position with Jaguar in 2000, thanks to the support of Jackie Stewart.

The Highs and Lows of F1

Burti’s Formula 1 debut was unexpected yet memorable. He stepped in as a replacement for the unwell Eddie Irvine at the 2000 Austrian Grand Prix. His performance as a test driver was impressive enough to secure him a race seat alongside Irvine for the 2001 season. However, his time with Jaguar was short-lived, and after just four races, he was replaced by Pedro de la Rosa. Burti quickly found a seat at Prost, where he delivered a commendable performance, including an eighth-place finish at the Canadian Grand Prix. His time at Prost was also marked by a notable accident at the German Grand Prix, where he was involved in a dramatic crash but escaped unharmed.

A Career Cut Short

Perhaps the most defining moment of Burti’s F1 career was his serious crash at the 2001 Belgian Grand Prix. An attempt to overtake Eddie Irvine went awry, leading to a high-speed collision that left Burti unconscious. This accident forced him to sit out the rest of the season. Post-F1, Burti served as a test driver for Ferrari until 2004 but did not score any championship points during his F1 career. He returned to Brazil to compete in Stock Car Brasil and became a commentator for TV Globo, continuing his involvement in the racing world.

Career Stats

Seasons Competed in

1. 2000 Season
2. 2001 Season