Consalvo Sanesi (28 March 1911 – 28 July 1998) was best known as the Alfa Romeo works' test driver in the period following World War II, but he also competed in races with the Alfa Romeo Tipo 158/159 cars in the period before the Formula One World Championship came into being. He competed in five Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, debuting on 3 September 1950. Although, on his day, his experience with the cars meant that he was often one of the fastest men on the racetrack, somehow this rarely translated into good results. He scored only 3 championship points. He found some success driving in sports car racing, continuing into the mid-1960s.
On the 1953 Mille Miglia he posted the fastest stage average speed, , beating greats such as Nino Farina and Juan Manuel Fangio, but on this occasion his car let him down and he failed to finish. A year later he won his class in the Carrera Panamericana.
Sanesi entered an Alfa Romeo in the November 1954 Pan American race in Mexico. In the European touring car class of the event he led at one juncture with a total time of 8 hours, 29 minutes, and 24 seconds. He was overtaken by fellow Italian and Alfa Romeo drivers, Sergio Mantovani and Mario Della Favera."Hill Pacing Mexican Auto Race By 39 Seconds After 657 Miles", The New York Times, 21 November 1954, Page S1. A couple of days later Sanesi established a 17-minute lead in his car, with the Alfa Romeo marque sweeping the first five positions of the European touring car division."Co-Pilot Is Killed In Mexican Event", The New York Times, 23 November 1954, Page 31.
Sanesi gave up front line racing following a near-death accident during the 1964 12 Hours of Sebring race, when following a crash his Alfa Romeo Giulia TZ burst into flames. Only the prompt and courageous actions of Jocko Maggiacomo, a fellow driver watching at the trackside who dived into the flames and pulled Sanesi clear, saved his life. Sanesi was paired with driver Roberto Bussinello in the event."Race Drivers Picked", The New York Times, 18 March 1964, Page 51.
Maggiacomo received a Gentleman of the Road award in November 1964 for his effort in rescuing Sanesi. The commendation was presented by the Milan Automobile Club."Italians Honor U.S. Mechanic", The New York Times, 9 November 1964, Page 10.
Complete Formula One World Championship results (key) Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 WDC Points 1950 Scuderia Alfa Romeo SpA Alfa Romeo 158 Alfa RomeoStraight-8 GBR MON 500 SUI BEL FRA ITA NC 0 1951 Scuderia Alfa Romeo SpA Alfa Romeo 159 Alfa RomeoStraight-8 SUI 500 BEL FRA GBR GER ITA ESP 12th 3
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