Champion and gentleman
23 December 1956 25 April 2001 it all began in 1976, Junior track of Monza. Little money, passion, talent to spare. Friends of the team Saved were able to immediately see Michele Alboreto a potential champion. Maybe without them, it is fair to say, Michele Alboreto wouldn't have got where we all know. Born in Milan on December 23, 1956, at that time Michele was a boy with black hair and curly-haired, much longer than how they would have later on. On a car that is supposed to reveal the retort, after accurate verifications carried out afterwards, was distinguished by courage and determination on the brakes. Reserved, almost shy, showed an exceptional decision. Within the scuderia adored him and there were those who put her hand on your wallet to allow him to go on to run in f. Italy. "I have to take advantage of every opportunity, because you don't know if there will be a second chance," he often said. Even before the others realised, Alboreto was already in Formula 3, to challenge "the big ones", spied often from behind the nets. And winning now, freshman year. Not even five years after the first few spins with f. Monza, Michele Alboreto was already in Formula 1. When things went wrong, Alboreto could become furious. But had the great ability to channel, in a positive way, all his aggression to go faster, not to surrender, to never give up. You could bet that, a few hours or the next day, a lot of anger became tenths less in lap times. Nadia, the quiet and loyal companion since school days, always accompanied him. Michele was unstoppable. The occasion with the Tyrrell arrives at Imola, in 1981. Another chance to be seized and that no escapes him, aided by the help of a patron who already had helped, among others, Ronnie Peterson and that you added to your friends list. Of each of them, Alboreto was always remembered until the last days. He knew where he wanted to get there: "I don't want to sound conceited, but I planned my arrival in Formula 1. I could do it or not, but those were the steps to go." The victories with the Tyrrell capture by surprise many, but those who knew him well. Then, among the proposals of McLaren and Ferrari, Michele Ferrari charm and chooses the great challenge of Maranello. Becomes more reserved and distrustful, accomplices also some misunderstandings with the press. The 1985 was his best year, but the great dream of becoming world champion blurs together with turbo Garrett chosen by Ferrari for the season finale. Alboreto was furious in those weeks. Perhaps portended that there would have been more similar occasions. Instead of going to Williams (instead of Nigel Mansell) wants to remain at Maranello also for not abandoning the team. The coming of his greatest enemy, John Barnard, put an end to the long period Ferrari. 1988 Germany Grand Prix on Saturday afternoon, in a room at the Holiday Inn Walldorf agrees to run, finally, with Williams. A Union signed in words but will not have followed. Remains very poorly, even though the thing you will not know much. Returning to Tyrrell is even more bitter and ended prematurely due to a change of sponsor of tobacco. Follow nice flashes, especially with the Footwork and the Arrows. The seat to win in F1 will never return. Ayrton Senna's accident shakes it, especially because Michael had seen the Brazilian on Saturday the deaths of Ratzenberger, troubled and almost conscious of the end coming. In court, a man, defends him to the end by the lies of those who would say anything to have a winning car. But Michele Alboreto does not abandon the races. From the German Touring Car Championship to the Irl and Indianapolis, he ends up joining the Sport. Of racing on ovals says "race there is like going to war in Viet Nam", conscious that he risked enough not to go further. Nadia begs him, month after month, to quit. In recent years the Affairs absorb almost full-time. The rest is devoted to family and Harley Davidson, with an eye to planes, his other great passion. The win at Le Mans is the culmination of a dream, rocked since the days in which he had seen Steve McQueen at the cinema in a Porsche in the famous feature film about 24 hours. He felt sure about sports, so sure that the thought of quitting doesn't even brushed. The German circuit on April 25, 2001 Lausitzring comes the tragic accident that rips the lives of Michele Alboreto. There is speculation that a component of the car has suddenly caved in and that it took off over the guard rail and destroyed at the side of the track.