Ricardo Zunino

Ricardo Zunino (13 April 1949 - Present): Argentine racing driver who competed in 11 Formula One World Championship races between 1979 and 1981, most notably replacing the retired Niki Lauda at Brabham mid-season in 1979. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Zunino competed extensively in Argentine national motorsport throughout the 1970s, becoming one of the country's leading drivers in Formula Two and sports car racing. His break into Formula One came in dramatic circumstances: after Niki Lauda abruptly retired from the Brabham team during practice for the 1979 Canadian Grand Prix, team owner Bernie Ecclestone needed an immediate replacement. Zunino, who was in North America for other racing activities, was called up at short notice.

He made his Formula One debut at the 1979 Canadian Grand Prix, qualifying 17th and retiring with engine failure. He completed the season with Brabham, achieving his best result of sixth place at the United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen. For 1980, Zunino drove for the Brabham team for the first three races before being replaced by Héctor Rebaque for commercial reasons. He then drove for the Tyrrell team at the 1981 San Marino Grand Prix, his final World Championship appearance, where he failed to qualify.

Zunino never scored a World Championship point in his 11 race starts. After his Formula One career ended, he returned to Argentine national racing, where he continued to compete successfully for many years. He won multiple national championships in Argentina and became a respected elder statesman of Argentine motorsport. Zunino's F1 career, though brief and largely unsuccessful, gave him the distinction of being the man who replaced the legendary Niki Lauda at Brabham, even if the circumstances were unexpected and the results modest.

Known for: Replacing the retired Niki Lauda at Brabham in 1979, scoring his best F1 finish of sixth place at Watkins Glen in 1979, competing in 11 Formula One races without scoring points, and enjoying a long and successful career in Argentine national motorsport.