Giancarlo Fisichella

Giancarlo Fisichella: Driver, Force India Formula One team

Date of birth: 14 January 1973
Born:  Rome, Italy [Images]
Weight:  66kg
Height:  1.72m
Martial Status: Married to Luna
Children:  Carlotta & Christopher

Fisichella joins Force India for its debut F1 season, bringing extensive Formula One know-how to the team. A veteran of 12 FIA Formula One World Championship seasons, with three victories and almost 300 points to his credit, his experience will help the team achieve its long-term aims.

Fisichella, from Rome, started his motorsport career in karting in 1984. Following success on an international level, he moved to single-seaters in the early 1990s -- and success soon followed. In 1994, he secured the Italian Formula 3 championship title, which led to a drive with the Alfa Romeo team in the prestigious International Touring Car championship in 1995.

Fisichella's form in the championship soon caught the attention of F1 bosses and in 1996 he combined a programme in the ITC with a shortened race season with Minardi in Formula One. 1997 marked the young Italian's first full F1 season with Force India's predecessors, Jordan. After an exceptional year, he moved to Benetton the following year, where he stayed for three seasons. A return to Jordan in 2002 saw Fisichella record his first F1 victory in Brazil [Images] in 2003, but for the 2004 season he joined Sauber.

In 2005, Fisichella returned to Renault, a move that gave the Roman his most successful period yet in the sport. With fifth place in the championship in 2005 and fourth in 2006, he marked himself out as one of the most consistent drivers in F1, a talent that will be of great benefit to the fledgling Force India team.

CV:

1984: Italian Minikart championship (60cc)
1985: Italian Cadets Championship (100cc)
1986: Italian Cadets Championship (100cc)
1987: Italian Cadets Championship (100cc)
1988: Karting International Class (100cc)
1989: 2nd, European Karting Championship
1990: 2nd, Karting World Championship
1991: 2nd, European Karting Championship
1992: 8th, Italian Formula 3, one win
1993: 2nd, Italian Formula 3
1994: Champion, Italian Formula 3, 10 wins
1995: International Touring Car Championship with Alfa Romeo Junior Team Minardi test driver
1996: F1 with Minardi (eight races) 6th, ITC with Alfa Romeo Junior Team Ferrari [Images] test driver
1997: 8th, F1 with Jordan (20 points)
1998: 9th, F1 with Benetton (16 points)
1999: 9th, F1 with Benetton (13 points)
2000: 6th, F1 with Benetton (18 points)
2001: 11th, F1 with Benetton (8 points)
2002: 11th, F1 with Jordan (7 points)
2003: 12th, F1 with Jordan (12 points, one win)
2004: 11th, F1 with Sauber Petronas (22 points)
2005: 5th, F1 with Renault (58 points, one win)
2006: 4th, F1 with Renault (72 points, one win)
2007: 8th, F1 with Renault (21 points)