When Montermini crashed his Simtek heavily during practice for the 1994 Spanish GP and was taken to hospital with relatively minor ankle and foot injuries, a number of observers thought that might be the last Grand Prix racing would see of the little Italian, rather cruelly commenting that he was not good enough to take part at this exalted level. Of course he did return, albeit only with back-of-the-grid strugglers Pacific and Forti, and succeeded in winning the respect of the Formula 1 paddock at large, with his racer's appetite remaining undimmed despite overwhelming odds.

    A closer look at Andrea's racing history reveals a good deal of success during the early stages of his career, which began in 1987 in Italian Formula Alfa Boxer. Fourth place in the 1988 Italian F3 standings was supplemented by second place in the Monaco F5 race the following year.

    Montermini then spent three seasons in European F3000 between 1990 and 1992: his first year, with Madgwick, was promising, the second, in a difficult-to-tame Ralt, perhaps less so. However, the Italian's final season in the formula, though beset by financial problems which saw him swap teams, brought him second place in the championship with three wins.

   In 1993 Andrea caused a stir in Indy Car circles when he arrived in Detroit to drive a year-old Lola for the Euromotorsports team. Sixth place in practice was impressive, and fourth at the finish an outstanding achievement. Since the collapse of Forti in mid-1996 Montermini has pursued a career in sports cars, initially impressing with Gianpiero Moretti's Ferrari in 1997. Wins in the Professional Racing Series at Lime Rock, Pikes Peak Raceway and Sebring led to a Nissan works drive at Le Mans in 1998, where, teamed with Lammers and Comas, he took sixth place, a feat which he repeated a year later at the wheel of a Courage-Nissan in company with fellow countrymen Caffi and Schiattarella.

   The diminutive Italian joined Dan Gurney's underperforming CART team for a four-race spell towards the end of 1999, scoring a couple of points on his debut in Vancouver, while no doubt hoping to find a full-time drive in this increasingly competitive category.

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