ALEX ZANARDI

Down on his luck after a fruitless spell at the financially troubled Lotus F1 team, Zanardi was recommended to Chip Ganassi by Reynard’s Rick Gorne. The Italian was an astute signing, building on a strong rookie season in 1996 to deliver titles in 1997 and 1998 before his muted F1 return in 1999. But with a catalogue of superb comeback drives, a knack for brazen passes and fondness for victory donuts, he’d made his mark.