Teo Fabi Born In Milan, Italy - March 9, 1955

March 9, 1955

Teo Fabi

Born in Milan, Italy.
Fabi became European Karting Champion in 1975 and followed that up with the European Formula Ford 1600 title in 1977. He competed in European Formula Three in 1978 for Forti Corse in a March-Toyota, with 4 wins in seven races, and finishing 4th in points.

In 1979 he moved to European Formula Two, with a season best finish of 2nd at Circuit Park Zandvoort. He would return to the series in 1980, with three wins and 3rd in points.

Fabi would begin 1981 in Can-Am for Newman Freeman Racing, and would score four wins at Mosport Park (twice), Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course and Laguna Seca Raceway, finishing 2nd in points. 

Fabi would compete in Formula One in 1982, and the years 1984-1987, with a total of 64 starts, 2 podiums, 3 pole position and a total of 23 World championship points. He drove for 3 teams in his Formula One career, Toleman, Brabham, and Benetton.

Fabi would move to the CART/PPG World Series in 1983, joining Forsythe Racing. At the Indianapolis 500, Fabi would qualify on the pole, with a then-track record speed of 207.395 mph for four laps, and a one-lap record of 208.049 mph. In the process, he would become the first rookie to qualify on the pole, since Walt Faulkner in 1950. In the race, Fabi would lead for 23 of the first 47 laps, before retiring due to mechanical failure. Fabi would win the race's rookie of the year award.

 He got his first Indy car victory,at Pocono International Raceway, and followed that up with his second win, two races later, at the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Fabi would win again later in the season, at Laguna Seca Raceway, and  enter the season-ending Miller High Life 150 at Phoenix International Raceway, locked in a championship battle with Al Unser Sr. Fabi qualified on the pole, led 138 of 150 laps and won the race. Unser was able to finish 4th, getting the points needed to secure the championship. Fabi would finish 2nd in points, and win the series' rookie of the year award.

Fabi would compete in 106 CART events, races run over a period of 10 years, with a total 5 wins, 9 poles, and 12 podiums.

When not busy with Formula One and CART, Fabi often competed in the World Sportscar Championship,  taking the title in 1991. He also did a number of 24 Hours of Le Mans races.

He is the older brother of former Formula One driver Corrado Fabi.