Remembering Enzo Osella: The Garagista Who Gave Me My Formula One Dream

A Personal Tribute from Allen Berg, Founder of Allen Berg Racing Schools

The motorsports world lost a true legend this week. Enzo Osella, the founder and owner of Osella Squadra Corse, passed away, leaving behind a legacy that shaped the careers of countless drivers—including my own.

For those who don’t know my story, I made my Formula One debut in 1986 at the US Grand Prix in Detroit, behind the wheel of an Osella. That opportunity, that leap of faith from Mr. Osella, didn’t just give me a seat in a racecar—it gave me the title of Formula One driver and defined the trajectory of my entire career.

A Passionate Racer with Unwavering Determination

Enzo Osella was more than a team owner; he was a true racer at heart. In an era when Formula One was becoming increasingly dominated by factory teams with seemingly unlimited budgets, Enzo kept his small, independent team alive through sheer passion and determination. He took significant financial risks, often betting everything on the next race, the next season, the next young driver who might just make a difference.

His team may not have had the resources of McLaren, Williams, or Ferrari, but what Osella Squadra Corse lacked in funding, it made up for in heart. Over the years, Enzo provided numerous young drivers with their Formula One debuts—giving them the chance to prove themselves on the world’s biggest stage and earn that coveted title: Formula One driver.

My Time with Osella: The Most Powerful Era in F1 History

I was fortunate to be in the right place at the right time when Mr. Osella selected me to compete in nine Grand Prix during the 1986 season. This was no ordinary time in Formula One—1986 was the era of the most powerful Formula One cars in history. These were the turbocharged monsters, producing well over 1,400 horsepower in qualifying trim, with absolutely no driver aids.

The grid that year read like a who’s who of motorsports royalty. I competed alongside six Formula One World Champions and some of the most iconic drivers the sport has ever seen. Names like Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Nelson Piquet, Nigel Mansell, and Keke Rosberg weren’t just competitors—they were legends in the making.

Although my time in Formula One was tumultuous and fleeting, I will always be grateful to Mr. Osella for taking that leap of faith with me. That experience shaped who I am today and inspired the mission behind Allen Berg Racing Schools: to give others the opportunity to experience the thrill of racing at the highest level possible.

The Last of the True Garagisti

Born on May 27, 1939, in Volpiano, near Turin, Italy, Enzo Osella grew up in the shadow of Fiat headquarters and began his career as a mechanic and tuner. He cut his teeth working with Abarth, the legendary Italian performance brand that served as a training ground for many of Italy’s finest automotive minds.

In 1965, Osella officially founded Osella Squadra Corse, starting in hillclimb racing and Formula 2 before setting his sights on the ultimate prize: Formula One.

Osella entered Formula One in 1980 with driver Eddie Cheever, and the team competed until 1990, making over 130 Grand Prix entries. Despite limited budgets and resources that paled in comparison to the major manufacturers, Enzo kept his team alive season after season. The team’s best result came at the 1982 San Marino Grand Prix when Jean-Pierre Jarier finished fourth—a remarkable achievement for such a small operation.

Enzo Osella is remembered as one of the last true “garagisti”—the privateer team founders who raced on passion, ingenuity, and determination rather than corporate budgets. In an era when Formula One was rapidly becoming a playground for manufacturers with deep pockets, Osella represented the independent spirit that once defined the sport.

A Launchpad for Aspiring Champions

Throughout its Formula One tenure, Osella Squadra Corse gave numerous drivers their first taste of the pinnacle of motorsport. These drivers who made their F1 debuts with the team included:

• Eddie Cheever (1980 Argentine Grand Prix) – The American driver who became Osella’s first Formula One pilot, later racing for Renault, Alfa Romeo, and Ligier
• Piercarlo Ghinzani (1981 Belgian Grand Prix) – An Italian driver who became synonymous with Osella, making the majority of his F1 starts with the team
• Corrado Fabi (1983 Brazilian Grand Prix) – Brother of Teo Fabi, who later competed in CART and sports cars
• Allen Berg (1986 US Grand Prix) – That’s me, forever grateful for the opportunity
• Alex Caffi (1986 Italian Grand Prix) – Italian driver who later raced for Scuderia Italia and Footwork
• Nicola Larini (1987 Italian Grand Prix) – Later drove for Ferrari, memorably finishing second at Imola in 1994
• Olivier Grouillard (1989 Brazilian Grand Prix) – French driver known for his speed, later drove for Ligier, Fondmetal, and Tyrrell

Each of these drivers has their own story, but we all share one common thread: Enzo Osella believed in us when others might not have.

Rest in Peace, Mr. Osella

The racing world has lost a true original. Enzo Osella proved that with enough passion and determination, even the smallest team could compete at the highest level of motorsport. He gave young drivers like me a chance to live our dreams, and for that, I will be eternally grateful.

Thank you, Mr. Osella, for taking a chance on a young Canadian driver. Thank you for keeping the spirit of independent racing alive. And thank you for showing us all that in motorsports, heart matters just as much as horsepower.

Arrivederci, Enzo. Your legacy lives on in every driver you believed in.