Norberto Fontana

Fontana was born in Arrecifes, Buenos Aires, as the son of Hector and Clara Fontana. He started racing at the age of eight at the Summer Night Championship in Lujan. In 1989, he began a full season of karting and finished 2nd in the Youth Kart Championship of Buenos Aires Province. The following year, Fontana progressed to a higher level of championship and finished fourth. In 1992, he moved into car racing and competed in the Formula Renault Argentina series before moving into the European series events in 1993. Fontana raced in the German Formula Three Championship series in 1994 and 1995, winning the 1995 title as well as that year's Marlboro Masters event at Zandvoort circuit. He claimed the title ahead of drivers including Ralf Schumacher, Alexander Wurz, Jarno Trulli and Jan Magnussen. In 1996, Fontana entered Formula Nippon for the Nova Engineering team driving a Lola T96/51 Mugen. His highlights were finishing second twice in Fuji in a season that included multiple accidents, mechanical failures and poor results. In 1997, he drove for the Le Mans team in their Reynard 97D Mugen. The season started badly but made a comeback to finish fifth in Fuji, a win at Mine and 3rd in Motegi. ==Formula One==

Fontana joined the Sauber test team in 1995 when Peter Sauber approached him for a test session that took place at Barcelona in late 1994. He retained this role throughout 1995 and 1996. At the 1997 European Grand Prix in Jerez, Fontana received a $5,000 fine for speeding in the pit lane and eventually qualified 18th. During the race, Fontana appeared to block Jacques Villeneuve, who was the direct rival of Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher at the time. ITV commentator Martin Brundle pointed out that the Sauber team used Ferrari engines at the time. Fontana eventually finished 14th with his highlight being overtaking Jos Verstappen with two wheels on the grass. Attempted comebacks Fontana was considered as a driver for the dying Tyrrell team for 1998, with team principal Ken Tyrrell negotiating with the Argentine. Fontana signed a draft contract, but did not sign the final contract as the owners, British American Tobacco, had vetoed the suggestion, and Tyrrell was forced to sign Brazilian Ricardo Rosset, who had more sponsorship brought to the team. In 1999, Fontana tested with Minardi for a seat that would partner Marc Gené. However, sponsorship once again caused the Argentine to lose the seat for a possible comeback. ==Post-Formula One==

Fontana decided to return to Formula Nippon and finished 4th in the series, which included a win in Fuji. He also competed in the Japanese GT Championship and was paired with Masanori Sekiya. The pair finished 6th in Suzuka, 3rd at Sendai and Motegi. The pair finished 7th in the championship. Touring car racing in the TC2000 Championship. Fontana subsequently moved into Argentine touring car racing, driving in the Turismo Carretera, TC2000 and Top Race V6. In the TC2000, he was champion in 2002 (with Toyota) and 2010 (with Ford), and third in 2004 and 2014. In 2006, he was the Turismo Carretera champion. Until 2009, he drove for Toyota, given the relationship he had with the brand when he raced in Japan. In 2022, at the age of 49, Fontana joined TCR South America. Fontana also competed at the 2011 Dakar Rally in a buggy. ==Racing record==

Complete German Formula Three results (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap) Complete Formula Nippon results (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap) Complete International Formula 3000 results (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap) Complete Formula One results (key) Complete JGTC results (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap) Complete CART results (key) Complete TCR World Tour results (key) • Season still in progress.--> ==References==