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The Italian Grand Prix is not only known for being one of the longest running events in the Formula One calendar but also known for hosting the shortest F1 career of a driver. 1993 Italian Grand Prix hosted the shortest ever F1 career to date, that of Marco Apicella.
Back then when Michael Schumacher was drivin for Benetton-Ford, it was the Williams dominating at the Monza circuit. 1993 Italian Grand Prix was no different as the British, Damon Hill won it driving his Williams-Renault after starting the race from 2nd position. While Apicella with his Jordan-Hart qualified for the race at 23rd position, four places behind his teammate Rubens Barrichello.
Thierry Bousten's mid-season retirement from F1 paved way for Apicella to make his debut (and also his last) at his home, Italy.
The Jordan team's boss Eddie Jordan who was wanting to try out the upcoming and promising Formula 3000 drivers, gave a drive to Apicella ahead of other available four Jordan drivers, considering his past performances and also this being his home race. Little did he knew that this race will make Marco Apicella to be falsely known for having the shortest F1 career.
Apicella who had tested the car only two hours prior to the weekend lost control of it as he spun off the track during practice.
Qualifying for a P23 spot in his very first race happened to be the only high point of his F1 career as he could hardly manage 800 meters in the race.
As Apicella's steering arm was broken involving a multi-car collision at the first chicane in the very first lap of the race. Apicella retired off the race and eventually off the sport as well, as he was replaced by Emanuele Naspetti for the following races.
Interestingly, Ernst Loof has an even shorter F1 career which lasted only for two metres, also happens to be his home race. During the 1953 German Grand Prix, Loof retired off the race within six yards from starting grid due to fuel pump failure. However, the undesirable record is falsely credited to Marco Apicella.
