Giovanni Lavaggi

Giovanni Lavaggi (18 February 1958 - Present): Italian racing driver of noble heritage born in Augusta, Sicily. Competed in Formula One in 1995-1996 with Pacific and Minardi, participating in 10 races. Started racing late at age 26 due to limited personal finances despite noble background. Father raced in 1960s; Giovanni began on motorcycles at 14, then rallying in 1979. Studied mechanical engineering at Milan Polytechnic, serving as March F1 test driver in 1992.

Drove four races for Pacific in 1995 and six races for Minardi in second half of 1996 at age 37, making him oldest driver on grid and oldest rookie since Toshio Suzuki. Best F1 result was tenth place at Hungaroring, Minardi's second-best result of year. Nicknamed 'Johnny Carwash' (approximate translation of name from Italian). More successful in sports cars: Le Mans class podium (1992), Interserie Champion (1993), won 1995 Daytona 24 Hours.

Founded Scuderia Lavaggi, designed/built own LMP car (Lavaggi LS1) for Le Mans Series (2006-2009). Lives in Monte Carlo.