Andrea de Cesaris is one of the Formula One drivers that appeared on the grid for fifteen seasons! Debuting in 1980 for Alfa Romeo in Canada, only to retire 14 years later after the European Grand Prix for Sauber. An interesting career that delivered him the nickname already in 1981 when he managed to crash almost in every Grand Prix his McLaren. The Italian managed to score a handful of podiums. In his Formula One autumn years he hopped from Scuderia Italia, Jordan Grand Prix, Tyrrell Racing, again Jordan Grand Prix to eventually retire as a Sauber driver in 1994. Interestingly is Andrea’s fling with AGS in late 1990.
It was a chilly but sunny day in mid-December 1990, just days before Christmas, when Andrea de Cesaris appear at Le Luc and entered the office. The same office where Cyril de Rouvre had spoken with the Italian if he was interested to test for AGS. He was only hours away to test for the AGS team with their AGS JH25. A beautiful and smooth looking car, the only problem no financial backing to keep on developing the car. The car’s best result was the ninth place from Yannick Dalmas during the Spanish Grand Prix.
For those who don’t know. AGS is one of the few teams that appeared in the Formula One that owned their own private circuit. Well known is Scuderia Ferrari with Fiorano. AGS still owns Le Luc and you are able to drive around with one of their cars.
At the time, Andrea de Cesaris arrived at AGS he was out of a Formula One seat for 1991. In 1990, after a great season with BMS Scuderia Italia, he decided to stay with the team. Disqualified in France and only finishing in Mexico and Italy made the season a disturbing one. For 1991, knowing he had some backing from Marlboro several teams were interested to hire him. While Team Lotus, Brabham and Fondmetal were interested it was AGS that starting the fling.
During that sunny day at Le Luc Andrea was not the only driver that would take place behind the wheel. Also Italian F3000 driver Antonio Tamburini was available to test for the team. The testing time are not available for the test from both drivers. What is known is the interest from AGS the veteran. It seems that an offer was even made; only days after de Cesaris signed the deal with Jordan Grand Prix. Eventually AGS contracted another veteran Stefan Johansson. Another reason AGS did not continue with de Cesaris was the fact he complete destroyed one of their cars during the test.
Eventually de Cesaris moved for 1991 to the Jordan Grand Prix team, perhaps one of the best moves in the Formula One. He managed to score points during the Canadian, Mexican, French and German Grand Prix. A total of nine! Sadly, due to the position Jordan Grand Prix was also in, he was unable to stay with the Irish team. In 1992 and 1993, he would race for Tyrrell Racing. For 1994, he was without a seat. However, in San Marino he returned behind the wheel of a Jordan. In Monaco, he finished again fourth! In Canada de Cesaris would appear in the cockpit from Sauber. After the European Grand Prix, he retired. Only to briefly return in 2005 and 2006 in the Grand Prix Masters.
