This explore, fulfilled his dream of running in Formula 1, but his future was away from the clues.
While millions of boys dream of becoming Professional athleteseither in Soccer, basketball or formula 1it is not a future that is written for everyone. However, there are people who touched the sky with his hands And he knew how to be at the top, but certain circumstances that moved them away from the public eye.
Paolo Barilla It is a name that resonates so much in the world of motoring as in the business sector. His passage through the Formula 1although brief, left a mark on the history of sport, while his role in the family company He positioned it as one of the key figures in the food industry.
Paolo-Ana.jpg
Paolo Barilla’s career as Formula 1 pilot
Paolo Barilla was born on April 20, 1961 in Milan, Italy. His foray into motoring began in 1976when he won the National Karting Championship. Subsequently, in 1981, he entered the Italian formula 3where he achieved the title of champion and advanced to the European formula 2 With the team Minardi.
One of the most important milestones of his career was his victory in the 24 hours from Le Mans of 1985where, together with Klaus Ludwig and Louis Krages, he won a Porsche 956b. Then, he participated in Formula 3000 International between 1986 and 1988, obtaining as a better result a fourth place in Brands Hatch.
In 1989, Barilla entered the Formula 1 As a minardi tester pilot. His debut in the category occurred in the Japan Grand Prixwhere he replaced Pierluigi Martini, although he had to leave the race after a few laps. In 1990, he got a starting seat in Minardi, but his performance was not expected. Of the 15 races in which he participated, he only managed to qualify for 9, finishing 4 of them, always outside the top 10. Finally, He was fired before completing the season.
After passing through Formula 1, Barilla moved away from the professional competition and focused on the family businessleaving behind his career as a pilot to assume a key role in the food industry.
Part of an empire of millions: the present of Paolo Barilla
After his retirement from motor racing, Paolo Barilla joined Barilla Spathe company founded in 1877 by its family, which became a world leader in pasta production. Currently, the company has a presence in more than 100 countries and generates annual income higher than 4,000 million euros.
From its entrance to the company, Barilla occupied various strategic positions, contributing to the global expansion of the brand. In 2025, he works as Vice President of the Groupsupervising the growth strategy. In addition to its corporate role, it maintains its link with motoring. In 2024, the company Barilla announced its return to Formula 1 as Official sponsorreinforcing his presence in the sport that marked the beginnings of his career.
Source: Ambito
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
