Michele Albereto – In The Ferrari Pits – Dutch Grand Prix 1985
My first credentialed race was the Caesars Palace Grand Prix on September 25, 1982. Michele Alboreto had the fastest lap time, winning the race in a Tyrrell-Ford and finishing eighth in the standings of the World Drivers’ Championship. During 1982 he continued to drive for Ken Tyrrell and struggled with the naturally aspirated Cosworth V8 against the onslaught of the turbo engined cars. In 1984 he joined Scuderia Ferrari with its 1.5 liter V6 turbo engine. It is a dream of most competitors to someday drive for Ferrari but as an Italian Ferrari driver Alboreto had reached the pinnacle of accomplishment for every Italian racing fan and was rewarded with a fourth in the Drivers Championship. In 1985 Alboreto continued with Ferrari winning the Canadian and German Grands Prix and finishing second in the Drivers Championship to Alain Prost in a TAG/Porsche powered McLaren.
I loved photographing in the Formula One Pits. It was a great privilege to have a credential that allowed me access and through my years in F1 most teams and drivers became accustomed to my presence and let me work. Ferrari was not the most open team but I was able to observe how Alboretto functioned outside of the cockpit. He clearly had the respect and admiration of the team and despite his success and position was friendly and open to everyone.
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