miguel angel guerra f1 driver

Retired

Miguel Angel Guerra

Argentine

  • Place of Birth Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Date of Birth 31 August 1953
  • F1 Debut 1981 United States Grand Prix West
  • Current/Last Team Osella

Miguel Ángel Guerra (born 31 August 1953) is an Argentine former racing driver who competed in Formula One during the 1981 season. Although his World Championship career was brief, Guerra enjoyed considerable success after returning to South America, becoming a leading driver in touring cars and single-seater racing and claiming the 1989 TC 2000 Championship.

Driver Bio

NationalityArgentine
BirthplaceBuenos Aires, Argentina
Born31 August 1953
First Grand Prix1981 United States Grand Prix West
Last Grand Prix1981 San Marino Grand Prix
Current/Last TeamOsella

Early Career

Born in Argentina on 31 August 1953, Guerra progressed through the country’s competitive motorsport scene before earning the opportunity to race in Formula One.

His performances in South American racing attracted international attention and ultimately secured him a drive with Italian constructor Osella for the 1981 Formula One World Championship.

Formula One Career

Guerra made his Formula One debut at the opening round of the 1981 World Championship, the 1981 United States Grand Prix West, on 15 March.

He entered four Grands Prix for Osella during the season but successfully qualified for only one race, the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola.

His first Formula One start ended almost immediately. On the opening lap, Guerra’s Osella was struck by the March of Chilean driver Eliseo Salazar, sending his car into the barriers. The heavy impact left Guerra with a broken wrist and a fractured ankle, bringing both his race and effectively his Formula One career to an abrupt end.

Although he attempted further Grand Prix entries during the season, he was unable to qualify again and his time in Formula One came to a close after just a single race start.

Return to South American Racing

Following his departure from Formula One, Guerra returned to South America, where he rebuilt his racing career across a wide variety of championships.

In 1984, he finished runner-up in the Formula Two Codasur Championship, confirming his pace in regional single-seater competition.

He achieved his greatest domestic success in 1989 by winning the prestigious TC 2000 Championship, one of Argentina’s premier touring car series.

Over the following years, Guerra remained a familiar figure in South American motorsport, competing in categories including South American Formula Three, Turismo Nacional, Turismo Carretera, Top Race and the South American Super Touring Car Championship.

Legacy

Although his Formula One career was curtailed by injury and limited opportunities, Miguel Ángel Guerra enjoyed a long and successful career in South American motorsport. His achievements after Formula One—particularly his Formula Two Codasur runner-up finish and TC 2000 title—cemented his reputation as one of Argentina’s accomplished racing drivers of his generation.

Grand Prix Stats

Race Entries4
Race Starts1
Did Not Start0
Best Race Start22nd
Best Race Finish
Retirements
First-Lap Retirements1
Not Classified
Disqualified0
Did Not Qualify3

Qualifying

Qualifying Sessions
Reached Q3
Q2 Eliminations
Q1 Eliminations
Did Not Qualify3

Stats by Season

YearConstructorEntriesStartsWinsPodiumsPolesFastest LapsFront RowsDNFBest StartBest ResultPts FinishesPointsChampionship
1981Osella4100000122n/a00NC

Teammates

Driver Nationality Current/Last Team F1 Debut Status
Italian Osella 1978 United States Grand Prix Retired

Teams

Team Nationality Debut Season Status
Osella Italian 1980 Historic