Giorgio Scarlatti

Giorgio Scarlatti (1921-1990) was an Italian racing driver who was active during the 1950s and early 1960s.

He recorded participations in fifteen Formula 1 Championship Grand Prix events between 1956 and 1961 with different manufacturers, without notable results. He was more successful in sports car racing.

Giorgio Scarlatti

Starting a career in the Italian road racing events

Born in October 1921 in Rome, Giorgio started his racing career in early 1950, competing in some world-known road racing events in Italy, such were Targa Florio, Giro di Sicilia or Mille Miglia. He was using a variety of cars, such were Fiat 500, Ermini 1100, Ferrari 195S, Alfa Romeo 1900 or Maserati A6GCS.

His first race outside Italia was the 1954 Tourist Trophy in Dundrod, UK, in a Maserati. His first notable results were the S2.0 class victories at Mille Miglia and Targa Florio in 1956, both in a Maserati A6GCS.

Formula One debut at 1956 Syracuse Grand Prix

Scarlatti made a Formula One debut in April 1956 at non-championship Gran Premio di Siracusa in Italy, driving a Ferrari 500. He missed a podium, finishing fourth. It remained his best-ever result in an F1 career.

A month later, he made an F1 Championship debut at Monaco Grand Prix, driving the #36 Ferrari 500. Unfortunately, an engine blew up during practice and he didn't qualified for the race. The next attempt came in August at Nürburgring, where he started the German Grand Prix in the #14 Ferrari but retired in the opening lap with a broken engine.

GiorgioScarlatti in the #36 Ferrari at 1956 Monaco Grand Prix

Maserati factory driver in 1957

In 1957, Scarlatti became a Maserati factory driver both in sports car races and Formula One. He finished fourth at Mille Miglia in a Maserati 300S and retired at 24h Le Mans in his debut at the French endurance classic. He was sharing a car with Jo Bonnier. In August, together they finished third at Swedish Grand Prix.

In the 1957 Formula 1 Championship, Scarlatti made four starts in a Maserati 250F. He recorded DNF at Monaco. Finished 10th at Nürburgring, sixth at Pescara Grand Prix and fifth in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, earning his only championship point in a shared drive with Harry Schell. In non-championship races, his best result was the seventh place at Moroccan Grand Prix.

Overall podium, class victory at 1958 Targa Florio

In 1958, Scarlatti raced with his own Maserati 250F at Monaco Grand Prix and Dutch Grand Prix, recording DNFs in both races.

In sports car races, his greatest success was the second place overall and S1.5 class victory at Targa Florio, together with Jean Behra in the #68 Porsche 718 RSK.

Giorgio Scarlatti in the #68 Porsche at 1958 Targa Florio

Class victory at 1960 Sebring 12 Hours

In 1959, Scarlatti had no good results, including DNF at Le Mans in a Ferrari Dino 196S together with Giulio Cabianca. In F1 Championship, he was 8th at French Grand Prix in a Maserati 250F and 12th at Italian Grand Prix in a Cooper T51.

In 1960, he started a season with the class victory at Sebring 12 Hours. He won the GT3.0 class and finished 8th overall in the #16 Ferrari 250 GT California he was sharing with Carlo Maria Abate and Fabrizio Serena. He was also GT+2.5 class winner (10th overall) at Targa Florio, together with Edoardo Lualdi in a Ferrari 250 GT LWB. He recorded one more DNF at Le Mans, driving a Maserati Tipo 61 Longtail for Camoradi USA.

Last Formula 1 Championship start at 1961 French Grand Prix

In 1961, Scarlatti recorded his last F1 Championship start, driving De Tomaso-OSCA for Scuderia Serenissima in the French Grand Prix at Reims. He retired after 15 laps with a broken engine.

The same year, he was driving Maserati Tip 63 for Scuderia Serenissima at Targa Florio, finishing fifth together with Umberto Maglioli. In August 1961, he won Grand Prix Pescara in a Ferrari 250 TRI, sharing a car with Lorenzo Bandini.

One more class victory at Targa Florio in 1962

In May 1962, Scarlatti was among the front-runners at Targa Florio, driving the #86 Ferrari 250 GTO. He and Pietro Ferraro finished fourth overall and the winners in the GT3.0 class. Later that year, he was sharing Ferrari 250 GTO with Nino Vaccarella at 24h Le Mans, not finishing the race.

Scarlatti's last recorded race was the 1963 Targa Florio. He was driving the #108 Ferrari 250 GTO for Scuderia Centro Sud, sharing a car with Juan-Manuel Bordeu and finishing in the sixth place.