From Pole To Obscurity: Teo Fabi’s Astonishing 1985 Formula One Season

Few tales in the history of Formula One are as fascinating as that of Teo Fabi’s 1985 season. The Italian driver pulled off a remarkable achievement by claiming pole position at the German Grand Prix, both his first pole in his career and the sole pole position ever recorded by the Toleman team. What makes this achievement even more remarkable is that Fabi had set his pole time on Friday qualifying, with rain on Saturday stopping other drivers from improving.

This unusual situation paved the way for one of the strangest records in Formula One history. Let’s get into the specifics of Fabi’s remarkable 1985 season, discussing the reasons behind his pole position and the events that followed.

The Rise of Teo Fabi

Teodorico “Teo” Fabi, born on 9 March 1955 in Milan, Italy, was not new to the sport of motor racing. Prior to joining Formula One, Fabi had already established himself as a participant in several different types of races. Fabi won the 1975 European Karting Championship and went on to do well in other classes. Most notably, Fabi won pole position in his first year driving at the 1983 Indianapolis 500, evidencing his raw speed and ability.

Fabi’s Formula One career started in 1982 with the Toleman team. But his first experience of the top rung of motorsport was a struggle. The Toleman TG181C that Fabi drove was anything but competitive, and the team’s priorities were on building their 1983 car, so not much progress was made throughout the season. This rough beginning might have set back Fabi’s F1 career, but determination and ability would soon assert themselves.

The 1985 Season: A Turn of Fortune

Following a short period with Brabham in 1984, Fabi returned to Toleman for the 1985 season. The team, heavily backed by the Benetton Group, entered the championship late in the Monaco Grand Prix. Fabi was drafted to drive the No. 19 Toleman Motorsports Group Toleman TG185-Hart 415T.

The late start to the season was caused by Toleman losing their tire contract when Michelin pulled out of F1 at the end of 1984. Not being able to find Goodyear tires and having already defaulted on a contract with Pirelli, the team was left in a bad situation. It wasn’t until Benetton bought both Toleman and the Spirit team that Toleman was able to utilize Spirit’s Pirelli contract and finally join the grid.

The German Grand Prix: Fabi’s Moment of Triumph

The 1985 German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring would become the defining moment of Fabi’s Formula One career. During Friday’s qualifying session, Fabi put in a blistering lap that secured him pole position. This achievement was remarkable not only for Fabi but for the entire Toleman team, as it marked their first and only pole position in Formula One.

The size of Fabi’s accomplishment becomes even clearer if we examine the qualifying times:

Fabi: 1:17.429

Johansson: 1:18.616 (+1.187)

Prost: 1:18.725 (+1.296)

Fabi’s pole position was more than a second quicker than his closest rival’s, a huge margin by Formula One standards.

What made the pole position even more remarkable was the weather on Saturday. Rain during the second qualifying session prevented any driver from improving his time, consolidating Fabi’s pole position. This turn of events meant that Fabi’s Friday drive would go down in history.

The Race: A Stark Contrast to Qualifying

In spite of the elation of having taken pole position, the actual race was a different tale for Fabi. When the lights went out, Fabi had a bad start and lost his lead immediately. His performance did not improve, and he had to retire early in the race owing to mechanical problems.

This stark contrast between Fabi’s qualifying performance and race result encapsulates the unpredictable nature of Formula One. It also highlights the challenges faced by smaller teams like Toleman, who often struggled with reliability issues despite occasional flashes of speed.

The Unique Record

Fabi’s 1985 campaign, especially his ride at the German Grand Prix, produced a rare and rather melancholy milestone. Teo Fabi is the only Formula One driver to have collected several pole positions (he would collect two more with Benetton in 1986) but never have led a lap of a Grand Prix.

This record reflects the intricacies of Formula One racing. Fabi undoubtedly had the raw pace to beat the rest of his rivals around one lap, yet a host of factors—ranging from inconsistent starts to equipment breakdowns—kept him from putting that pace onto race leadership.

Interpreting Fabi’s Success

Fabi’s pole at the 1985 German Grand Prix was no accident. His coworkers saw his talent and work ethic. As one of his engineers mentioned, Fabi was characterized as having “inner steel” and being “very determined.” His performance that season was likened to any driver the engineer had ever worked with, pointing to Fabi’s true ability on the track.11

This talent was later again put on display during his career. In 1989, when driving in IndyCar, Fabi won the pole at Phoenix on a half-second margin from his next-best competitor—on a lap that took 25 seconds. His ensuing pass of Mario Andretti around outside of Turn 1 was said to be “as stunning a pass as I have ever seen” by a veteran observer.

These performances imply that Fabi’s pole of 1985 was not a fluke but an example of what lay hidden beneath with driver and machine in perfect harmony.

The Challenges of Formula One

Fabi’s remarkable record is a reminder of the numerous challenges that Formula One drivers and teams have to overcome. A successful mix of circumstances is needed in this sport:

Raw Speed: As shown by Fabi’s pole positions, raw speed for a single lap is important.

Consistency: The ability to maintain high performance over a race distance is equally important.

Reliability: Even the fastest car is useless if it can’t finish races.

Race Craft: Skills like good starts and passing are crucial for translating grid positions into race outcomes.

Team Support: An athlete requires a good, competitive vehicle to display their skills.

Fabi’s career illustrates that being superior at one thing (his single-lap pace) doesn’t always mean that overall success in Formula One is inevitable.

Legacy and Lessons

Though Teo Fabi’s Formula One career did not turn out as it was expected from the pole positions it was making, his achievements should not be written off. His talent and pace were evident, particularly in his qualifying sessions. In other classes of motorsports, apart from Formula One, Fabi found success, as with Jaguar; he won the World Sportscar Championship in 1991.

Fabi’s sole record and his 1985 campaign teach a number of lessons:

The Role of Timing: Fabi’s pole position was partially the result of good weather. In motorsport, as in life, timing is everything.

The Gap Between Potential and Outcome: Fabi’s qualifying pace did not always carry through to race outcomes, illustrating the intricacy of success in Formula One.

The Importance of Perseverance: In spite of initial failures, Fabi persevered and finally demonstrated his real potential.

The Role of Equipment: Even a talented driver needs a competitive and reliable car to achieve consistent results.

Conclusion

Teo Fabi’s 1985 Formula One campaign, and especially his pole position at the German Grand Prix, is an intriguing episode in the sport’s annals. His singular feat of several pole positions without ever holding the lead captures both the potential for surprise success and the brutal realities of elite-level motorsport.

Fabi’s tale is a reminder that with Formula One, as with much of life, success does not always come easy. It takes talent, determination, and sometimes a pinch of luck. Fabi might not be widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest champions, but his own accomplishments— that standout pole position in 1985 among them—solidify his position in Formula One history.

As we look back on Fabi’s career, we’re reminded of the thin margins that so often divide success and failure in top-level sport. His tale remains captivating and inspiring, showing that even in a sport where statistics and outcomes rule, there’s always space for those moments of sheer brilliance that confound the odds and capture our imagination.