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Giorgio Pantano
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Nationality
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Italian
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Date of Birth
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February 4, 1979
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Place of Birth
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Padua, Italy
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Date of Death
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Years Active
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2005
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Starts
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2
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Wins
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0
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Poles
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0
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Best Series Finish
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26th (2005)
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Giorgio Pantano is a former IndyCar driver. He ran a partial schedule in 2005 for Chip Ganassi Racing. He is rumoured to be in contention for a second Panther racing seat if the money is in place.
Before Indycar[]
Giorgio was a very successful karting driver in his youth. He later progessed up to junior formula cars. During his F3000 years he tested for several F1 teams including Benneton and McLaren.
He finally got his chance in F1 when he got the call from Jordan Grand Prix. His time at the team was largely unsuccessful. His best result was a pair of 13th places at the Malaysian and European Grand Prix. This led to him getting pushed out of the team with 3 races to go by future Champ Car driver Timo Glock.
In 2005 he raced in the GP2 Series. He didn't win any races during this season. He did get 6 podium finishes throughout the year.
2005 Indycar[]
Giorgio raced in the 2005 road races for Chip Ganassi Racing at Infineon and Watkins Glen. His best efforts were at Watkins Glen where he qualified 2nd and finished 4th.
After Indycar[]
He tested for Champ Car teams during the season but he did not get a drive. He joined Fisichella Motorsport in the GP2 Series halfway through the season. He won 3 races and finished 5th overall. He won 3 races in 2006 including winning both Italian races at the season ending final round.
In 2007 he raced for Campos racing in the GP2 Series. He only won 2 races this year but he finished 3rd in the overall standings.
In 2008 he won the GP2 Series and won 4 races during that year. He narrowly beat Bruno Senna, Ayrton Senna's nephew to the title.
Possibly return to IndyCar in 2009[]
Autosport a British motorsport publication has rumoured Pantano to a second Panther seat in 2009. Curt Cavin has also posted about this situation on the IndyStar.com IRL weblog.