Johnny Cecotto

Johnny Cecotto
Cecotto in 1978
NationalityVenezuela Venezuelan
Born (1956-01-25) 25 January 1956 (age 68)
Caracas, Venezuela
Motorcycle racing career statistics
Grand Prix motorcycle racing
Active years1975–1980
First race1975 250cc French Grand Prix
Last race1980 500cc German Grand Prix
First win1975 250cc French Grand Prix
Last win1980 350cc Nations Grand Prix
Team(s)Yamaha
Championships1975 – 350cc
1978 – Formula 750
Starts Wins Podiums Poles F. laps Points
48 14 26 13 7 433
Formula One World Championship career
Active years1983–1984
TeamsTheodore, Toleman
Entries23 (18 starts)
Championships0
Wins0
Podiums0
Career points1
Pole positions0
Fastest laps0
First entry1983 Brazilian Grand Prix
Last entry1984 British Grand Prix
24 Hours of Le Mans career
Years1981, 1996, 1998
TeamsTeam Bigazzi SRL, Team BMW Motorsport
Best finish8th (1996)
Class wins0

Johnny Alberto Cecotto Persello (born 25 January 1956), better known as Johnny Cecotto, is a Venezuelan former professional Grand Prix motorcycle racer and auto racer.[1] He rose to prominence as a teenage prodigy in 1975 when he became the youngest motorcycle road racing world champion at the age of 19.[2] Despite the auspicious beginning to his motorcycle racing career, he suffered numerous injuries and mechanical problems which curtailed his success in motorcycle Grand Prix racing.[2]

At the age of 24, Cecotto turned his attention to auto racing where he reached the pinnacle of the sport as a Formula One driver. He later became a successful Touring Car racer. He is the last of a select group of competitors who competed at the highest level in motorcycle and auto racing, which includes John Surtees and Mike Hailwood among others.[3]

  1. ^ "Rider Statistics - Johnny Cecotto". MotoGP.com. Retrieved 2008-08-29.
  2. ^ a b Brown, John (1995), "Johnny Cecotto", Classic Racer, Mortons Motorcycle Media Ltd, ISSN 0959-7123
  3. ^ "Teddy Yip's feast from the East". 8w.forix.com. 1983-03-27. Retrieved 2010-05-03.