DOB: 31st May 1959
Place of Birth: Rome, Italy
Nationality: Italian
GP Starts: 208
GP Wins: 0
Pole Positions: 1
Points Scored: 59
Andreas De Cesaris holds the record as having the longest career in F1 without a race victory, a total of 207 grands prix, having competed in F1 for 14 years between 1980 – 1994.
His racing career started in 1977 when he was crowned World Karting Champion. He joined Formula 3 in 1978, before making his F1 debut two years later with Alfa Romeo at the Canadian Grand Prix. The following year he partnered John Watson at McLaren.
De Cesaris was nicknamed "De Crasheris" by those in the industry due to his accident-prone driving style. He was involved in a number of accidents in 1981, so much so that it was rumoured his mechanics refused to keep repairing the damage inflicted on his car!
De Cesaris returned to Alfa Romeo’s factory team in 1982 and stayed there for two seasons. His second year with the team was his most successful in F1, finishing eighth in the drivers' championship and taking second place at the German and South African grands prix - the best results of his F1 career.
Things slowed down for De Cesaris in 1984 and '85 when he drove for Ligier, where he did not enjoy the same success as previous seasons. From Ligier he moved to Brabham and then on to Rial in 1988.
De Cesaris’ career received a second wind in 1991 when he was offered first driver position with new team Jordan. He finished ninth in the championship that year and very nearly took second place behind Ayrton Senna at Spa, but retired from the race due to mechanical failure.
1992 and ’93 were spent with Tyrell, before he made a cameo appearance back at Jordan for three races in 1994. Following this he enjoyed his final dalliance in F1 with Sauber and finished 18th overall in the championship that year.
Since retiring from F1 De Cesaris has worked as a currency trader and also spent a lot of time travelling the world wind surfing.
Career History:
1977: World Karting Champion
1978: Tiga Team in the British Formula 3 series
1980: Ron Dennis' Formula 2 team project 4
1980: F1 Debut with Alfa Romeo at the Canadian Grand Prix
1981: McLaren, finishing 18th in the Drivers Championship
1982: Alfa Romeo, 17th in the Drivers Championship, pole position in US West GP
1983: Alfa Romeo, 8th in the Drivers Championship, 2nd in German GP and South African GP
1984: Ligier, 16th in the Drivers Championship
1985: Ligier, 17th in the Drivers Championship
1986: Minardi
1987: Brabham, 14th in the Drivers Championship
1988: Rial, 15th in the Drivers Championship
1989: Dallara, 16th in the Drivers Championship
1990: Dallara
1991: Jordan, 9th in the Drivers Championship
1992: Tyrrell, 9th in the Drivers Championship
1993: Tyrrell
1994: Jordan, San Marino and Monaco Grand Prix only
1994: Sauber, 18th in the Drivers Championship
