 |
Pedru DinisBrazilian racing driver, Formula 1 pilot from 1995 to 2000.
Date of Birth: 22.05.1970
Country:  Brazil |
Content:
Early Career
Born into a wealthy family in São Paulo, Brazil, Pedro Paulo Diniz began his racing career in karting in 1987, winning the São Paulo championship. He progressed to Formula Ford in 1989, placing sixth, and South American Formula 3 in 1990.
Formula 3 and Formula 3000
In 1991, Diniz competed in the British Formula 3 Championship, finishing 11th. He remained in the series in 1992, placing 12th, and also raced in British Formula 2. From 1993 to 1994, Diniz competed in Formula 3000, achieving a 14th place finish in 1994.
Formula 1 Debut
With sponsorship from his father's Italian food company, Diniz made his Formula 1 debut with Forti in 1995, but failed to score any points. In 1996, he joined Ligier and twice finished in sixth place.
Arrows and Sauber Years
In 1997, Diniz joined Arrows, qualifying ahead of reigning world champion Damon Hill on two occasions and scoring a single point in Luxembourg. He remained with Arrows in 1998, matching his teammate Mika Salo with three points.
Diniz spent his final two years in Formula 1 with Sauber. In 1999, he finished in the points three times, placing higher in the championship than teammate Jean Alesi. Despite fewer retirements in 2000, Diniz failed to score any points and retired at the end of the season.
Post-Racing Career
In late 2000, Diniz became a co-owner of the Prost team, which dissolved a year later. In 2003, he founded the Brazilian Formula Renault championship.
