Italian F1 Driver Ivan Capelli
Talented Racer Suffered at Ferrari During Grand Prix Career
Ivan Capelli was one of Italy’s most promising young drivers, but his Formula 1 career failed to live up to early promise. His big chance seemed to have arrived when Ferrari signed him for 1992, but that year’s car was uncompetitive and Capelli left the team disillusioned.
Champion in Formula 3 and Formula 3000
After starting his career in karting Capelli made the major jump to Formula 3 in 1982, competing in the Italian championship. He switched teams for 1983, moving to Enzo Coloni’s team, and won the title. Staying with the team Capelli won the 1984 European Formula 3 title, albeit in contentious circumstances. The airbox on his car was deemed illegal but he was allowed to keep the championship.
Capelli spent the next two seasons racing in Formula 3000, while also competing in the European Touring Car Championship. In addition he also made sporadic appearances in Formula 1 for Tyrrell (replacing Stefan Bellof after the German was killed in a Group C crash) and AGS. Capelli had actually tested a Formula 1 Brabham as early in his career as 1983. After winning the 1986 Formula 3000 title Capelli was rewarded with a full-time Formula 1 drive in 1987, driving for the Leyton House March team.
Formula 1 with Leyton House, Ferrari and Jordan
During his time with Leyton House March Capelli frequently turned in stellar performances. At Estoril in 1988 he finished a remarkable second behind the all-dominant McLaren of Alain Prost. Two years later, at Paul Ricard, Capelli led for much of the Grand Prix, eventually having to settle for second behind Prost again.
After the family atmosphere of Leyton House a move to Ferrari came as something of a shock to Capelli. Politics were rife within the team and, allied to an uncompetitive car, 1992 was a year to be endured. It soon became evident that Capelli’s team-mate Jean Alesi was the favoured driver at Ferrari. In the end Capelli didn’t last the season and the experience had a profound effect on him. He was back in a Formula 1 car for 1993, driving for the Jordan team, but it was a short lived partnership. Unable to recapture his old form Capelli suffered the ignominy of failing to qualify in Brazil. He subsequently left the team by mutual consent.
Although Capelli’s Formula 1 driving career ended in 1993 he continued to work within the sport. He currently commentates on Formula 1 for Italian television, along with working as a Maserati driving instructor.
Subaru and Coloni in Formula 1
Ivan Capelli in Leyton House March F1 car
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