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]
Quick Facts Nationality, Born ...
Johnny Cecotto |
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Cecotto in 1978 |
Nationality | Venezuelan |
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Born | (1956-01-25) 25 January 1956 (age 68) Caracas, Venezuela |
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Quick Facts Formula One World Championship career, Active years ...
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Quick Facts 24 Hours of Le Mans career, Years ...
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Years | 1981, 1996, 1998 |
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Teams | Team Bigazzi SRL, Team BMW Motorsport |
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Best finish | 8th (1996) |
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Class wins | 0 |
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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]