Roberto Lippi

Roberto Lippi (17 October 1926 - 31 October 2011): Italian racing driver who competed in three Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, all in Italy, between 1961 and 1962, driving uncompetitive De Tomaso machinery that limited his opportunities to demonstrate his abilities. Born in Italy, Lippi competed primarily in Italian national motorsport during the late 1950s and early 1960s, racing various sports cars and single-seaters in regional events. His Formula One opportunity came through the De Tomaso team, an ambitious Italian constructor attempting to establish itself in Grand Prix racing with limited resources and underdeveloped cars. Lippi made his World Championship debut at the 1961 Italian Grand Prix at Monza on 10 September 1961, driving a De Tomaso Formula One car powered by a four-cylinder OSCA engine.

The De Tomaso-OSCA was significantly slower than the front-running British and Italian machinery of the period, and Lippi struggled with its lack of power and handling deficiencies. He attempted to qualify for two more Italian Grands Prix in 1961 and 1962, but the De Tomaso's uncompetitiveness meant he started only one of these three races, failing to qualify for the other two. Even when he did start, he was never competitive for points, finishing laps behind the leaders when he completed races at all. Lippi was one of several Italian drivers—including Giorgio Scarlatti, Roberto Bussinello, and Nino Vaccarella—who drove De Tomaso Formula One cars during the early 1960s in various non-championship events and occasional World Championship races.

None achieved significant success due to the cars' fundamental lack of competitiveness. The De Tomaso Formula One program was underfunded and technically inferior to established constructors, giving drivers like Lippi little chance to shine. After his brief and unsuccessful Formula One appearances, Lippi returned to Italian national racing, where he continued competing in various categories through the 1960s. He remained involved in Italian motorsport in various capacities throughout his later life.

Lippi died on 31 October 2011 at age 85. He represents the numerous Italian drivers who competed for small, struggling Italian constructors during Formula One's early years, often with machinery so uncompetitive that their actual driving abilities remain difficult to assess. Known for: Driving De Tomaso Formula One cars in three World Championship race entries between 1961 and 1962, starting only one of three attempted races due to failing to qualify, and being part of the group of Italian drivers who raced for the struggling De Tomaso F1 team.