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Fast in Formula 2

14. Nov 2023 
by Ziv Knoll
3614 views

Beppe Gabbiani (born 2 January 1957) is an Italian former racing driver. He participated in 17 Formula One Grand Prix for the Surtees and Osella teams, but did not score any championship points.

The mercurial Italian moved up to F2 in 1978 with the Trivellato Racing Team and finished fifth at Vallelunga in a Chevron B42. Showing some promise, he continued in F2 with the Polifac BMW Junior Team in 1979 (picture above, at the Eifelrennen held on the Nürburgring). In this works March 792-BMW, he scored three podiums and finished fifth in the championship.

Meanwhile, Gabbiani made his Formula 1 debut with Team Surtees in the last two races of the 1978 season, but failed to qualify. By 1981, a second opportunity to shine in F1 came along, when Beppe joined Osella Squadra Corse, but the Italian, fast but also wild, only qualified thrice. In a slow car, it was impossible for him to show his talent.

His best racing season came in 1983 in Formula 2, when aboard a Onyx Racing March 832-BMW, Beppe Gabbiani (picture below) won four of the first five races of the championship, that he finished in third position. Unfortunately, no F1 seat was available for him by then, and the Italian decided to further race in sports cars.

Source: Harmut Schulz

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