Carlo Abate

Carlo Maria Abate (July 10, 1932 - April 29, 2019): An Italian racing driver who preferred to be addressed as "Carlo Mario Abate" and represented the archetypal "gentleman driver" of the 1950s and 1960s, combining natural talent with the financial independence to pursue racing at the highest levels. Abate began racing cars in 1955 and quickly demonstrated his abilities. In 1957, he became Italian Champion in the GT category up to 1300cc, driving an Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce Zagato. His success continued in 1959 when he won the Mille Miglia driving a Ferrari with G.

Balzarini and captured his second Italian GT title. Throughout his career, Abate raced for prestigious teams including the private Italian team Scuderia Serenissima of Count Giovanni Volpi, Scuderia Centro Sud, Scuderia Ferrari, and the Porsche factory team. He became recognized as one of the best Ferrari 250 GTO specialists, mastering one of the era's most iconic sports cars. His most significant achievement came in 1963, his greatest year, when he won the Targa Florio in a factory Porsche alongside Jo Bonnier, one of motorsport's most challenging and prestigious races.

Earlier, on July 15, 1962, he had won a round of the World Sportscar Championship at the Trophee d'Auvergne. In Formula One, Abate's involvement was limited but notable. In 1962, he participated in the Naples Grand Prix driving a Porsche, finishing fourth. After crashing his Lotus 18/21 at his next race at Reims-Gueux, he withdrew his entry to what would have been his first World Championship event, the 1962 French Grand Prix.

After withdrawing from the 1963 Italian Grand Prix, he retired from motorsport at the end of that year, his finest season. Following his racing career, Abate became the director of a private clinic, demonstrating the professional success typical of the gentleman drivers of his era. He passed away on April 29, 2019, remembered as a leading exponent of the group of gentleman drivers who brought elegance, skill, and passion to 1950s and 1960s motorsport.