happy birthday Didier! From my small collection today I offer you Autosprint from october 1980.
Journalists do complain that Patrese doesn't have a seat, but they also devote a couple of pages to Didier in Ferrari. In these they explain why Didier was called Didi in reference to count Felice "Didì" Trossi, a gentleman driver of the past, who was president of Scuderia Ferrari back in the '30s.
The article offers an interview with Enzo Ferrari and one with Didier, in which Didier expresses enthusiasm about Fiorano and the huge amount of data that the Ferrari engineers are able to provide him with, he notices the difference in the tyres and is very satisfied with the gearbox. The press also recognizes that his results are excellent, and make sure to notice after he gets a hang of the new car, he manages to beat Gilles' record on the track.
This is one of the first cars produced already in 1979; Chassis n 008/79.
Central monocoque frame in steel sheet filled with polyurethane, with 2 tubular frames at the front and at the rear for easy replacement in case of impact.
Bodywork was in self-extinguishing polyester.
Suspensions with lower tubular arms and upper rocker arm, the latter, in light alloy, is the same for all 4 suspensions, as is the Brembo hub and brakes and discs.
The mechanics were derived from the Lancia Beta 2000: Engine, standard, 4-cylinder with double overhead camshaft with 140 Hp, placed transversely behind the cockpit, with free exhaust and 2 Weber double-body carburettors. Oversized oil sump (wet sump).
5-speed gearbox of the Lancia Beta.
Fiat Ritmo radiator.
Steering box of the Fiat 131.
Shock absorbers of SE010 (SP quattrofari).
Weight 530 Kg
Car completely revised by Gabriele Terzi after the last event.
He can race in Formula Fiat Abarth (FIA FA/2a) in the IR period of the 5th group.
Last event: Historic Abarth Day 2014 at the Franciacorta ring (BS)
The championship was conceived by the CSAI as this, acting as a preparatory category to the Formula 3, it had to be particularly economical, the cars had no device that created the ground effect nor any wing appendage.
The first cars were presented at the Monza racetrack the Saturday before the 1979 Italian Grand Prix in the presence of Jody Scheckter, on Sunday morning one was taken to the track by the test driver Giorgio Pianta. At the presentation it was indicated the production program provided for the construction of 50 cars by the following March; the single-brand championship began in 1980; and continued until 1986.
A single-seater was donated to the weekly Autosprint because it assigned it to the young driver Roberto Ravaglia; but the pilot, launched by this series, and who had better luck was Alessandro Nannini, winner of the second championship of the category, disputed in 1981.
In a special interview made by the italian motorsport magazine Autosprint, Nico Rosberg also talked about Charles Leclerc and said he looks forward to the 2019 competition between the two Ferrari drivers 🏎🙈
«It will be a very fun challenge. I can't wait. I will turn on the tv in Melbourne just to see that fight between the two Ferrari teammates. Leclerc is really strong. This guy goes damn fast. While Vettel comes from a difficult year: he'll need to stay very focused and give his maximum in 2019 if he wants to maintain the leadership in Ferrari. He finds himself with a tricky teammate: Leclerc is definitely not Raikkonen. He is something else. He'll put so much pressure on him...»
«In a way that pair reminds me of Alonso-Hamilton in 2007. One expert driver and world champion already, and the other a very fast and as much ambitious driver. In some respects it seems the reenactment of those two but with some difference: Vettel is not as angry as Alonso and Leclerc is not a warrior like Lewis. Maybe a little less.»
«On paper I'd say the strongest team is Ferrari. The pair Vettel-Leclerc is sparkling.»
«On top of the 2019 list of youngsters I admire the most I put Leclerc.»
Only after scanning this Autosprint issue I noticed it was published at the beginning of november 1982, so 43 years ago exactly. Time flies. But it wasn't exactly flying for Didier, stuck in the hospital after his terrible Hockenheim crash that needs no introduction.
He still keeps himself busy though: Piero Lardi came to visit him (Enzo Ferrari's illegitimate son) and so did the french drivers, out of which Patrick Tambay brought him a videogame as a gift (and the magazine duly explains what a videogame is). Niki Lauda, Keke Rosberg and even Jean-Marie Balestre also visited him. His mom and aunt also bring him plenty of homemade food.
But if no one comes, he can pass the time reading the huge amount of letters he receives, some of which are simply addressed to "Didier Pironi, F1 driver, Paris, France" and they still reached him! The magazine also gives the correct address to write him a letter, which is of course surreal to think about it, reminding us what kind of a time capsule these magazines are: a little piece of time travel.
