Barilla, racer and businessman

Paolo Barilla behind the wheel of his Minardi M189-Ford Cosworth DFZ V8 3.5 on the Suzuka circuit, home of the 1989 Japanese Grand Prix (picture above). The Milan-born driver made his Formula 1 debut, favoured by the input of some personal sponsors to replace the injured Pierluigi Martini.

Barilla qualified a decent 19th, about 4.7s slower than Senna’s McLaren-Honda in pole position, but behind team mate Perez-Sala in 14th. Unfortunately, his race did not last long, when he was forced to retire on the first lap…

Paolo Barilla, born 20 April 1961, is a businessman and a former Formula One driver who raced for the Minardi team in 1989 and 1990. Best result in Formula 1 for the Italian: an 11th place finish at the 1990 San Marino Grand Prix.

Barilla also participated six times in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, a race he won in 1985 with Klaus Ludwig and “Winter” in a Joest Racing Porsche 956 (picture below). He is now the deputy chairman of the Barilla Group, well known for its pasta production.