Died: May 26, 2001, Camparada, Lombardy, Italy (Heart attack)
Nationality: Italian
Initial Foray into Motorsports
Began career in motorcycle racing: 1957
Won Italian 175cc title: 1958
Transition to karting and serving as a mechanic for his brother Ernesto in Formula 2
Move to Car Racing
First car racing experience: 1969 in Formula 3 with Birel, team Picchio Rosso
Victories in Vallelunga and Monza
Progression to Higher Formulas
Formula 2 entry: 1970 with Brabham-Ford
Second-place finishes: Salzbourg and Munich
Continued success in Formula 2 and Italian Formula 3: 1971
Won the Italian Formula 3 Championship: 1972
Further success in Formula 2 with March-Ford: 1973, victories in Salzbourg and Albi
Formula One Career
Debut in Formula One with March: 1974, replacing Howden Ganley
Notable performances: Regular top-10 finishes and scoring first F1 point at Österreichring
Best season: 1975, achieving pole position in Sweden
First and only F1 victory: 1975 Austrian Grand Prix, in a rain-shortened race
Career decline: Struggles in 1976 with only a single point in the championship
Move to Surtees: 1977, with fourth in Belgium and fifth in Hockenheim as highlights
Sports car racing success: 1977, four victories with Alfa Romeo for Autodelta
Challenges with Surtees: 1978, less competitive performances and missed qualifications
Involved in the accident that killed Ronnie Peterson: 1978 Italian Grand Prix
Brief returns to F1: 1979 and 1980 with Autodelta
Final years in motorsport: Competed in sports car racing with Osella until retirement in 1981
Legacy
Known as “The Monza Gorilla” for his aggressive driving style and hometown roots, Vittorio Brambilla’s career in motorsport was marked by highs and lows. His journey from motorcycle racing to F1 showcased his versatility and passion for racing. Despite a relatively short and tumultuous career in Formula One, Brambilla left an indelible mark with his memorable victory at the 1975 Austrian Grand Prix. His transition to sports car racing later in his career also demonstrated his adaptability and continued commitment to motorsport.
Detailed Career Statistics of Vittorio Brambilla
Formula One Career Overview
Years Active: 1974 – 1980
Teams: March, Surtees, Alfa Romeo
Total Grand Prix Starts: 74
Total Grand Prix Entries: 80
No Starts: 6
Best Championship Finish: 11th in 1975
First Grand Prix: South Africa 1974
Last Grand Prix: Italy 1980
Key Achievements
Wins: 1 (1.35% of starts)
Podiums: 1 (1.35%)
Pole Positions: 1 (1.35%)
Fastest Laps: 1 (1.35%)
Points Scored: 15.50
Average Points Per Race: 0.21
Laps Led: 32
Kilometers Led: 151 km
Total Laps Raced: 3,021
Total Kilometers Raced: 14,113 km
Yearly Performance (1974-1980)
1974: Ranked 20th, March
1975: Ranked 11th, March (Best year)
1976: Ranked 19th, March
1977: Ranked 16th, Surtees
1978: Ranked 19th, Surtees
1979: Not classified (nc), Alfa Romeo
1980: Not classified (nc), Alfa Romeo
Retirement Rate
Total Retirements: 40 (54.05% of starts)
A high retirement rate, indicative of the era’s reliability issues and Brambilla’s aggressive driving style.
Starting Grid vs. Finishing Position
Average Starting Position: 13.07
Average Finishing Position: 9.41
Demonstrates Brambilla’s ability to gain positions during races, despite typically qualifying outside the top 10.
