Giacomo "Geki" Russo

Giacomo 'Geki' Russo (23 March 1937 - 18 February 1967): Italian racing driver from Milan who participated in one Formula One World Championship Grand Prix. Made his sole Formula One appearance at the 1965 Italian Grand Prix at Monza on 12 September 1965, driving a Brabham BT11-BRM entered by the Rob Walker Racing Team. Qualified for the race at his home circuit, demonstrating sufficient pace to make the grid at Monza, one of Formula One's fastest and most challenging circuits. Retired from the race after completing 49 of 76 laps with mechanical failure, his Formula One World Championship career ending as quickly as it began.

Scored no championship points during his brief F1 appearance. Beyond Formula One, competed in various Italian national motorsport events during the mid-1960s, racing in sports cars and hillclimb competitions. Also participated in some European Formula Two races, demonstrating his versatility across different racing categories. Tragically killed in a racing accident on 18 February 1967 at the Vallelunga Circuit near Rome during a Formula Three race, dying just under two years after his Formula One appearance.

The fatal accident occurred when Russo was competing in an Italian Formula Three event, highlighting the dangers that persisted throughout motorsport during the 1960s even in junior categories. Died at age 29, robbing Italian motorsport of a young driver who had shown promise across multiple racing disciplines. Though his Formula One career consisted of a single retirement, Russo was part of the generation of Italian drivers competing across various categories during the 1960s, a period when motorsport safety remained primitive and accidents frequently proved fatal. His brief F1 appearance and tragic death exemplify the risks undertaken by racing drivers during an era when competing in motorsport was genuinely life-threatening.