"In only his third season of car racing he became the complete package."
-Autosport

Giorgio Pantano started his career in kart racing, where he quickly became regarded as one of the most outstanding drivers of his era. His grand reputation was backed by a multitude of wins including three junior World Championship titles and two European titles.

Pantano made his car-racing debut in 1999 in the Formula Palmer Audi Winter Series in Britain in which he was a frontrunner for the whole season. He also tested for Team Astromega F3000 in Barcelona.

In 2000 Pantano made his debut in the Formula 3 Championship with the Swiss KMS team, where he caused a sensation by winning the first round at Zolder.

Pantano shone through a competitive field and clenched the title with three victories and seven other podium finishes.

Pantano had made a grand impression and completed several successful tests for the Benetton Formula 1 team.

Having signed for International F3000 Team Astromega in 2001, Pantano experienced a season of technical difficulties yet proved to be a demon over taker and at the last race of the season he confirmed his ability by winning the Monza race in his first season in the series. Pantano also tested for McLaren Mercedes in F1 and produced some very competitive lap times. Pantano took the prestigious title of Autosprint International Driver of the Year, a title also awarded to the likes of Michael Schumacher and Jarno Trulli.

Expecting to line up with F3000’s top team, Super Nova, the 2002 season looked promising for Pantano. After a scuffle for two seats from three drivers the Italian had to settle for a seat with the small Italian Coloni team instead. Pantano’s determination and skill was evident when he won the race in Barcelona for Coloni, their first race win in six years of participation in International F3000. He followed this up with a dominant performance at Hockenheim in Germany taking pole position and a convincing win. Performance with the Coloni team continued apace with Giorgio taking his third win of the season at Spa.

Pantano finished in 2nd position in the championship.

Career Highlights

2004
Signs for Jordan Ford to race in the Formula One World Championship.

2003
International Formula 3000 racing with Durango. 3rd in the championship. Two pole positions & two wins. First driver to win races with three different teams.

2002
International Formula 3000 racing with Coloni. Three race wins, three 3rds, three 4ths one 8th. 2nd position in the Championship. Won the two seater Minardi Formula One car race at Donington Park.

"Best relationship driver with team" at the Winning Attitudes Awards 2002.

2001
Debut in International F3000 with Team Astromega – Two DNFs, one 8th, one 7th and one 5th plus race winner in Monza, last race of season.
McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 – tested in Jerez circuit for two days, covered 90 laps, very competitive lap times compared to team’s race and test drivers. No physical problems. No times issued by McLaren Mercedes

Autosprint International Driver of the Year - Winner

2000
German F3 Champion in first year of racing in series
Swiss Formula 3 Championship race, Hockenheim – 1st
Benetton Formula 1 test in Jerez
Benetton Formula 1 test in Valencia, ½ day in Monza
Team Astromega F3000 test in Barcelona

1999
World Championship Formula Super A – 3rd (only kart race in 1999)
Formula Palmer Audi winter series – 3rd in Championship (4 races)
Tested Team Astromega F3000 car in Barcelona

1998
Paris Bercy Cup - 3rd

1997
World Championship Formula Super A - 3rd

1996
European Champion - Formula A

1995
European Champion - Formula A

1994
Italian Champion - Junior
World Champion - Junior

1993
Italian Champion - Junior
European Champion - Junior
World Champion - Junior

1988
Started Kart racing

Profile details obtained from Giorgio's official website. www.giorgiopantano.com