Norberto Fontana


Norberto Edgardo Fontana is an Argentine racing driver. He participated in four Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on 29 June 1997 but scoring no championship points.
His opportunity to race came as a result of two separate injuries sustained by regular Sauber driver Gianni Morbidelli during the 1997 season. During the 1997 European Grand Prix, Fontana had gained attention for apparently blocking Jacques Villeneuve to let rival Michael Schumacher pull away from the Canadian. He attempted to enter with the Tyrrell team for 1998 but was dropped in favour for Brazilian Ricardo Rosset and with Minardi for 2000. In between his time in F1, Fontana raced in Formula Nippon.

Early career

Fontana was born in Arrecifies, Buenos Aires as the son of Hector and Clara Fontana. He started racing at the age of 8 at the Summer Night Championship in Lujan. In 1989, he began a full season of karting and finished 2nd in the Youth Kart Championship of Buenos Aires Province. The following year, Fontana progressed to a higher level of championship and finished 4th. In 1992, he moved into car racing and competed in the Formula Renault Argentina series before moving into the European series events in 1993.
Fontana raced in the German Formula Three Championship series in 1994 and 1995, winning the 1995 title as well as that year's Marlboro Masters event at Zandvoort circuit. He claimed the title ahead of drivers including Ralf Schumacher, Alexander Wurz, Jarno Trulli and Jan Magnussen.
In 1996, Fontana entered Formula Nippon for the Nova Engineering team driving a Lola T96/51 Mugen. His highlights were finishing 2nd twice in Fuji in a season that included multiple accidents, mechanical failures and poor results. For 1997, he drove for the Le Mans team in their Reynard 97D Mugen. The season started badly but made a comeback to finish 5th in Fuji, a win at Mine and 3rd in Motegi.

Formula One

Fontana joined the Sauber test team in 1995 when Peter Sauber approached him for a test session that took place at Barcelona in late 1994. He retained this role throughout 1995 and 1996.

1997

Fontana made his Formula One debut at the 1997 French Grand Prix replacing Gianni Morbidelli who had broken his arm prior to the race. He qualified 20th and retired when he understeered and ended up in a gravel trap. Prior to the British GP, team principal Peter Sauber looked for replacements to take Fontana's seat but eventually decided to keep Fontana on board. During qualifying, he missed a red light indicating that the car must come in for a mandatory weight check. Fontana drove past the light and was forced to start at the back of the grid. In the race, Fontana finished 9th despite his right leg becoming numb. At Hockenheim, he started 18th and finished 9th despite spinning early on.
At the 1997 European Grand Prix in Jerez, Fontana received a $5,000 fine for speeding in the pitlane and eventually qualified 18th. During the race, Fontana appeared to block Jacques Villeneuve, who was the direct rival of Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher at the time. ITV commentator Martin Brundle pointed out that the Sauber team used Ferrari engines at the time. Fontana eventually finished 14th with his highlight being overtaking Jos Verstappen with two wheels on the grass.

Attempted comebacks

Fontana was considered as a driver for the dying Tyrrell team for 1998 with team principal Ken Tyrrell negotiating with the Argentine. Fontana signed a draft contract, but did not sign the final contract as the owners British American Tobacco had vetoed the suggestion and Tyrrell was forced to sign Brazilian Ricardo Rosset who had more sponsorship brought to the team. In 1999, Fontana tested with Minardi for a seat that would partner Marc Gené. However, sponsorship once again caused the Argentine to lose the seat for a possible comeback.

Post-Formula One

Fontana decided to return to Formula Nippon and finished 4th in the series which included a win in Fuji. He also competed in the Japanese GT Championship and was paired with Masanori Sekiya. The pair finished 6th in Suzuka, 3rd at Sendai and Motegi. The pair finished 7th in the championship.

Touring car racing

He subsequently moved into Argentine touring car racing, driving in the Turismo Carretera,. TC2000 and Top Race V6. In the TC2000 he was seventh in 2001, champion in 2002, third in 2003, seventh in 2006, eighth in 2008, fourth in 2009 and champion again in 2010. Until 2009 he drove for Toyota, given the relationship he had with the brand when he raced in Japan. Since 2010 he drives a works Ford. Fontana also competed at the 2011 Dakar Rally in a buggy.

Racing record

Complete Formula Nippon results

YearEntrant12345678910DCPoints
1996Shionogi Team NovaSUZ
14		MIN
2		FUJ
1		TOK
Ret		SUZ
8		SUG
Ret		FUJ
2		MIN
Ret		SUZ
11		FUJ
Ret		5th22
1997Team LeMansSUZ
9		MIN
8		FUJ
6		SUZ
Ret		SUG
7		FUJ
2		MIN
1		MOT
3		FUJ
Ret		SUZ
Ret		3rd21
1998LEMONed Racing Team LeMansSUZ
3		MIN
Ret		FUJ
6		MOT
Ret		SUZ
Ret		SUG
Ret		FUJ
C		MIN
2		FUJ
1		SUZ
8		4th21

Complete International Formula 3000 results

YearEntrant123456789101112DCPoints
1996Edenbridge RacingNÜRPAUPERHOCSILSPAMAGEST
Ret		MUGHOCNC0
1999Fortec MotorsportIMO
Ret		MON
5		CAT
Ret		MAG
Ret		SIL
5		A1R
8		HOC
Ret		HUN
Ret		SPA
14		NÜR
10		15th4
2001F3000 Prost Junior TeamINTIMOCATA1RMONNÜRMAGSILHOCHUN
14		SPA
Ret		MNZ
Ret		32nd0

Complete Formula One results

YearEntrantChassisEngine1234567891011121314151617WDCPoints
1997Red Bull Sauber PetronasSauber C16Petronas V10AUSBRAARGSMRMONESPCANFRA
Ret		GBR
9		GER
9		HUNBELITAAUTLUXJPNEUR
14		NC0

Complete CART results

YearTeam1234567891011121314151617181920RankPoints
2000Della PennaMIA
15		LBH
Ret		RIO
Ret		MOT
DNS		NZR
Ret		MIL
Wth		DET
Ret		POR
Ret		CLE
11		TOR
Ret		MISCHIMDOROAVANLSSTLHOUSRFFON28th2