Giacomo Ricci
An Italian driver who battled through the fiercely competitive GP2 series and found a second home in endurance racing's premier classes.
Born 1985 (age 41)·Italian racing driver·Birthday: March 30·Millennials
Biography
Giacomo Ricci’s career trajectory mirrors that of many talented drivers who operate just below the dazzling spotlight of Formula One. Hailing from Milan, he climbed the traditional European single-seater ladder, proving his speed in Formula Renault and Formula 3000. His most prominent chapter was in the GP2 Series, the primary feeder championship for F1, where he raced for teams like David Price Racing and DPR. Though a victory eluded him in that ultra-competitive field, he established himself as a capable and tenacious competitor. Ricci successfully transitioned to sports car racing, where he found considerable success. He became a regular in the FIA World Endurance Championship, contesting the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans multiple times in LMP2 and GTE machinery, forging a respected, long-term career at racing's highest endurance levels.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Giacomo was born in 1985, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Giacomo Was Born
The biggest hits of 1985
#1 Movie
Back to the Future
Best Picture
Out of Africa
#1 TV Show
Dynasty
Giacomo's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1985Born
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
1990Started school
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1998Became a teenager
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2001Could drive
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2003Could vote
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Turned 21
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2015Turned 30
Paris climate agreement; same-sex marriage legalized in the US
Gas: $2.43/galHome: $171,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Uptown Funk" — Mark Ronson ft. Bruno MarsBest Picture: Spotlight
2025Turned 40
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 41 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Competed in the GP2 Series across the 2009 and 2010 seasons against a field of future Formula One drivers.
- Finished on the podium in the LMP2 class at the 2014 24 Hours of Le Mans.
- Raced full-season in the FIA World Endurance Championship for multiple years, including in the GTE-Am category.
Did You Know?
He won the Italian Formula 3000 championship in 2005.
Ricci made a one-off appearance in the Auto GP World Series in 2014, winning the feature race at Monza.
He drove for the Italian team AF Corse at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
“You fight for every tenth in GP2; that's where a driver is made.”
