Some records will probably never be equaled. Those held by Agostini
ou
Surtees depend entirely on the era, and never again will we see such dominated seasons. On the other hand, other records seem quite “easily” accessible, particularly those relating to precocity. This is precisely the subject of today.
It will not have escaped your attention, the average age of the World Cup is only decreasing from year to year. So much so that Marc Márquez is among the oldest top drivers in MotoGP at only 28 years old!
All precocity records have been broken in the 1977st century... Except one, and not just any! Thanks to a third place at the XNUMX Venezuelan Grand Prix, Ivan Palazzese is still today the youngest driver to be on a podium, at 15 years and 77 days old. An incredible statistic.
However, the other names on the list are much more familiar and in line with our assumptions: Can Öncü, Marc Márquez,
Scott Redding et
Jonas Folger follow closely. The name of the Venezuelan with an accomplished but tragic career hides a magnificent story.
The Yamaha Venemotos… Mythical.
Venezuelan, although born in Italy, Ivan
moves very early in Amerique du Sud accompanied by his family. It was not until his adolescence that he developed a passion for motorcycles, riding a small 125cc, sometimes on the circuit. You should know that on this continent, Venezuela is undoubtedly the country most marked by motorcycling culture and there are more good riders there than in Argentina or the family
Brésil.
The emerging popularity of Johnny Cecotto in this new market pushes the
END to organize a Grand Prix on these lands. For 1977, Palazzese therefore decided to try his luck as a wildcard. He had already had the opportunity to drive on the circuit of San Carlos Office, open since 1972.
At 15, you're just a toddler. To participate in the race, Iván is forced to lie about his age! Paid strategy. After a barely credible effort, he managed to hoist his
Morbidely in third place, behind Angel Nieto et Anton Mang, just that. He is the sensation of the day. The Italian firm is taking it to Europe, and once again, it stands out there. In 1982, he won his first two races in 125cc.
Venemotos, Yamaha importer in the country, had set up a Grands Prix structure in order to promote this passionate youth. In 1983, he entered the 250cc class alongside
cecotto et Charles Washed, two legends. Unfortunately, the quarter liter experiment does not work. A podium at Assen in three years is not enough. At 25, the native ofAlba Adriatica is without handlebars in world. Some tips on Rotax then a return to Yamaha , still in 250cc, will change nothing.
Palazzese, during his last season, tragically stopped by his accident.
Aprilia decides to hire Iván full-time for 1989, the perfect opportunity to regain your health. If the start of the season is encouraging, the situation turns into tragedy.
In Hockenheim, The Venezuelan followed Andreas Preining when the latter shut down his engine, causing him to fall at the entrance to the stadium. Palazzese, just behind, could not avoid it. About to get up and take cover, he was hit by Bruno Bonhuil et Fabio Barchitta.
Virginio Ferrari, soon to retire, is the first to stop at the scene of the accident, and therefore the first to notice Iván's death, seriously injured in the chest.
At just 27 years old, his life abruptly ended on German asphalt. A life of less and less. Behind every innocent and statistical beast can hide a poignant story.
So, for this, we hope that Palazzese's record will never be broken.
Cover photo: ICGP Brasil
