Mickey Mouse as sponsor!

Philippe Streiff at the wheel of the beautiful AGS JS19-BMW Formula 2 car, at the Mugello circuit in 1983 (photo above). You’ll notice the light blue livery and the Topolino sponsor, the local Mickey Mouse magazine, thanks to the presence of Italian driver Fulvio Ballabio in the French team.

The AGS team and its lead driver Philippe Streiff were considered outsiders against the Ralt-Hondas of Jonathan Palmer and Mike Thackwell in the 1983 European Formula 2 championship, but also against the factory March-BMWs of Beppe Gabbiani and Christian Danner.

With six wins in 12 rounds, Jonathan Palmer dominated the championship and was crowned champion, while Philippe Streiff achieved 4 podiums and 25 points, finishing fourth, and Fulvio Ballabio in the second AGS, scored a total of three points.

Fulvio Ballabio is an Italian racing driver, born on October 8, 1954 in Milan. He raced in Formula 2 in 1983, in Formula 3000 in 1986 and made 6 starts in the American CART championship from 1987 to 1989 with the Dick Simon and Dale Coyne Racing teams and finished fifth at the 1986 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Porsche 956 (photo below).