2008 Monaco F1 GP - Race number 200 for Giancarlo Fisichella
Rubens Barrichello celebrated his 257th F1 race in Turkey. Giancarlo Fisichella will celebrate his 200th Grand Prix start in Monaco. He is only the ninth driver in history to reach that milestone. His total does not include the 2005 US GP, when along with the other Michelin runners he withdrew on the formation lap. It also does not include France 2002, when he had a major crash in practice and did not take part in qualifying.
Here are few photos (courtesy of Force India F1) including the photo of his special Arai Helmet bearing ‘200′ logo (more pictures in the article):
Giancarlo Fisichella 200 Anniversary Helmet
Giancarlo Fisichella with 200 Anniversary Helmet and in a new set of Alpinestars overalls
Giancarlo Fisichella with his father Roberto
Giancarlo Fisichella with Vijay Mallya
Fisi’s first Formula One start came with Minardi in Australia back in March 1996. This is how Fisi recalls that (source Force India F1):
‘It was interesting what happened. Ten days before the Australian GP I was test driver for Minardi, and was also driving in the international touring car championship and the DTM for Alfa Romeo. Giancarlo Minardi called me and said ‘Giancarlo get ready, you are coming to Australia. Bring your helmet and bring your overalls.’ I said, ‘Ah that’s nice, I’m happy to come and see Australia and see the first race.’ He replied, ‘No no, it’s not to see the first race, you’re going to do it, you’re going to be one of the 20 drivers on the grid on Sunday.!’ I couldn’t believe it and asked if he was joking.’
‘I was really shocked because 10 days before the race I really didn’t expect to race in Australia, but the team had had a problem with a Japanese driver who didn’t pay. It was bad for him, but I was really, really happy!’
‘It was fantastic. The whole weekend was a bit of a shock for me, but one of the biggest things I remember was when I was at the drivers’ briefing. I was surrounded by Michael Schumacher, Gerhard Berger, and Jean Alesi, all my heroes… I was thinking I am one of them, I am here with them. It was really nice, a great period for me.’
Fisichella’s F1 career to date:
1996 - Minardi Team - 8 races
1997 - Jordan - 8th, 20 points (2 podiums, 1 fastest lap)
1998 - Benetton - 9th, 16 points (2 podiums, 1 pole position)
1999 - Benetton - 9th, 13 points (1 podium)
2000 - Benetton - 6th, 18 points (3 podiums)
2001 - Benetton - 11th, 8 points (1 podium)
2002 - Jordan - 11th, 7 points
2003 - Jordan Ford - 12th, 12 points (1 win)
2004 - Sauber - 11th, 22 points
2005 - Renault - 5th, 58 points (1 win, 3 podiums, 1 pole position, 1 fastest lap)
2006 - Renault - 4th, 72 points (1 win, 5 podiums, 1 pole position)
2007 - Renault - 8th, 21 points
2008 - Force India
tags: Tags: 2008, Force India, Giancarlo Fisichella, Helmet, Monaco GP
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May 26th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
[...] in Monaco was not a fluke. His teammate Giancarlo Fisichella did not have the best possible 200 anniversary race. He was the only driver I believe to retire with mechanical (gearbox) [...]
May 27th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
[...] - the diamond helmets of McLaren drivers, Monaco flag and track map helmet of Nelson Piquet and 200 race anniversary helmet of Giancarlo [...]