Stefano Modena

Stefano Modena (born 12 May 1963) is an Italian former racing driver who competed in Formula One from 1987 to 1992. Born and raised in Modena, Modena began his career in kart racing. After winning the junior World Cup in 1978, as well as back-to-back senior European Championships in 1983 and 1984, Modena progressed to Italian Formula Three in 1985. Following several race victories the next season—and taking pole position at the Macau Grand Prix—Modena moved to International Formula 3000 in 1987, winning the championship in his debut season. Modena participated in 81 Formula One Grands Prix for Brabham, EuroBrun, Tyrrell, Jordan, debuting at the 1987 Australian Grand Prix. He achieved two podiums and 17 championship points across six seasons. Modena was born on 12 May 1963 in Modena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy. A former 125cc Junior Karting Champion in Italy, he spent two seasons in the Italian Formula Ford national series before joining Euroracing in his domestic Formula 3 series in 1985, placing 15th in an Alfa Romeo engined Ralt. For 1986, he switched to Team Seresina's Reynard chassis and scored three wins to finish fourth overall, also placing second at the Monaco support race and winning a round of the European series at Imola. In 1987, he joined Onyx for the Formula 3000 series, winning three rounds and being crowned as champion.