Luciano Burti

Luciano Pucci Burti (born 5 March 1975) is a Brazilian former racing driver who competed in Formula One during 2000-2001, driving for Jaguar and Prost, before career-ending crashes forced his retirement and transition to broadcasting where he now commentates on Formula One for Brazilian television. Born in São Paulo, Brazil, Burti progressed through Brazilian and European junior categories during the 1990s, demonstrating the talent that would eventually earn him Formula One opportunities. His performances in junior formulae attracted attention from Formula One teams, and when Stewart Grand Prix conducted testing sessions in 1999, Burti impressed with his pace and feedback. Team principal Jackie Stewart lobbied extensively for Burti's appointment, recognizing his potential.

When Ford purchased Stewart Grand Prix and transformed it into Jaguar Racing for 2000, Burti was retained as official test driver, providing him with regular running in Formula One machinery while supporting the race team's development program. His surprise Grand Prix debut came on 16 July 2000 at the Austrian Grand Prix when regular driver Eddie Irvine fell ill and Burti was called up at short notice to replace him. Stepping into the Jaguar R1 with minimal preparation, Burti qualified and raced competently, gaining invaluable Formula One race experience. Having tested consistently well throughout 2000 and with one race start already completed, Burti earned promotion to Jaguar's race team for 2001, partnering Eddie Irvine and replacing the retiring Johnny Herbert.

This represented Burti's dream scenario—a full-season Formula One drive with a well-funded team. However, his Jaguar tenure proved short-lived and disappointing. Over the opening four races of 2001, Burti struggled to match Irvine's pace and failed to score points, leading Jaguar to lose patience. After just four races, Jaguar replaced Burti with former Arrows driver Pedro de la Rosa, ending his Jaguar career before it had properly begun.

The sudden dismissal was devastating, but Burti immediately found a lifeline when Prost Grand Prix sacked the underperforming Gastón Mazzacane, creating a vacancy. Burti secured the seat, joining highly experienced teammate Jean Alesi for the remainder of 2001. At Prost, Burti drove competently and occasionally qualified ahead of Alesi, demonstrating that given time to adapt, he possessed genuine Formula One capability. His best result came at the Canadian Grand Prix where he finished eighth—his highest Formula One classification and proving he could score points-equivalent finishes with midfield equipment.

However, Burti's time at Prost was marked by two horrific accidents that would ultimately end his Formula One career. At the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim, Michael Schumacher's Ferrari suffered a gearbox failure and slowed dramatically on track. Burti, arriving at high speed, had insufficient time to react and collided with the back of Schumacher's car. The impact launched Burti's Prost skyward, flying completely over Enrique Bernoldi's Arrows in a terrifying accident.

Remarkably, Burti escaped serious injury, though the crash's violence was shocking. The second and more serious accident occurred at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. During the race, Burti's Prost suffered a failure, sending him into the barriers at high speed at one of Spa's fast sections. The impact was enormous, and Burti sustained concussion and facial bruising. The severity of the concussion and the cumulative effect of two major accidents in quick succession convinced medical advisors that continuing racing posed unacceptable health risks.

Burti was forced to miss the remainder of the 2001 season, and though he recovered physically, the medical advice combined with the psychological impact of the accidents effectively ended his Formula One career. Over 15 Formula One race starts across 2000-2001 with Jaguar and Prost, Burti scored no championship points, with his eighth place in Canada representing his best result. His Formula One statistics don't reflect the promise he'd shown in testing or the potential many believed he possessed, cut short by equipment failures that led to career-ending crashes. After leaving Formula One, Burti returned to Brazil where he embarked on a successful career in Stock Car Brasil, Brazil's premier touring car championship.

He found considerable success in the series, winning races and establishing himself among Brazil's leading touring car drivers—finally able to demonstrate his racing talent without the pressure and dangers that had characterized his Formula One tenure. Beyond racing, Burti became a Formula One commentator for TV Globo, Brazil's largest television network, bringing his insider knowledge and Formula One experience to Brazilian audiences. His commentary work has made him a familiar voice to Brazilian Formula One fans, ensuring his continued connection to the sport that gave him both his greatest opportunity and most frightening moments. Today, Luciano Burti is remembered as a talented Brazilian driver whose Formula One career was cut tragically short by accidents, but who successfully rebuilt his motorsport career in Brazilian touring cars and broadcasting, finding the success and satisfaction that eluded him during his brief, traumatic Formula One tenure.