1979 March-Toyota F3

Born on 16th January 1952 in Lombardy, Italy, Piercarlo Ghinzani is one of the most successful Italian racing drivers of the 1980's era. Cutting his teeth in single seaters he was the Italian and European Formula 3 championship winner before launching a Formula One career which lasted from 1981 until 1989.

He went on to drive in 77 Formula One Grand Prix, mostly for the smaller Italian team, Osella, but also for Toleman, Ligier and Zakspeed. He also drove successfully in Group C as a works driver for Lancia supporting fellow Italian teammates Michele Alboreto and Riccardo Patrese.He kept, and fully maintained most of the cars that he drove in period, which Silverstone Auctions are now extremely proud to offer for sale for the very first time. These include his 2 championship winning March Formula 3 cars, 2 of his Osella F1 cars and also his Toleman F1.This is a unique opportunity to purchase highly original, single ownership from new, important historic racing cars with complete and total known provenance.

This March 793 was driven by Piercarlo to overall victory in the 1979 Italian F3 Championship and selected rounds of the European F3 series. Wins came at Vallelunga, Misano, Varano, Enna-Pergusa, Monza and Mugello beating noted drivers of the day Michele Alboreto and Mauro Baldi.

Raced in period with Alfa Romeo engines (which the factory took back at the end of the season), the car had a Toyota Novamotor installed in 1980 which is still installed today. Rebuilt by Ellegi Motori in 2010, it has run less than 200kms. since and is offered in race ready condition.