The 1973 Brazilian Formula Ford champion with five wins from seven starts, Alex then headed for Europe and an excellent first season in F3 with a works GRD, winning three rounds. His career continued its upward trend with a factory F3 March in 1975, which led to a full season for the team in Formula 2 in 1976. Although a win eluded him, he was, with Arnoux, usually the fastest man around.

    Hiring a Hesketh, Alex made a steady F1 debut in the US GP, before taking on his only full Grand Prix season with a works March in 1977. It was to be a disastrous campaign, with drivers and management blaming each other for the cars' disappointing performances.

    Back in Formula 2 in 1978 with his own 'Jesus Saves Racing' March 782, Alex initially showed he had lost none of his talent with a brilliant win at the Nurburgring, but gradually his season tailed off and the little team lost heart. In 1979 Ribeiro reappeared with Fittipaldi at the non-championship Dino Ferrari GP, but retired early on. He was later invited to drive for the team in the end-of-season North American races, but failed to qualify the car on both occasions. Alex subsequently enjoyed a long career in touring cars (and occasionally Sud-Am single-seaters) back in his native Brazil.

    In 1999 he returned to the Grand Prix scene, having been invited to drive the Mercedes CLK circuit safety car.

(c) 'Who is Who' by Steve Small, 2000