At the age of eight he participated in his first race with a small go kart that his father gives him. The other contestants were between 15 and 20 years old. He was the youngest. At the age of thirteen, he officially competed in the Paulista Karting Championship, remaining in first position and in 1977 he was proclaimed champion in the South American Karting Championship. Participate in other Karting World Championships from 1978 to 1982.
During those years his specialty was drive in the rain and on many occasions he would return to his parents’ house at night, without knowing anything about him all day, claiming that he had been rehearsing on the wheel under inclement weather. At a very young age, he wore his emblematic yellow helmet with a green and a black stripe, designed by the Brazilian helmet painter. Sid Mosca.
Start a career as a pilot in the San Marino Grand Prix. After getting some almost unbeatable Pole Positions. He travels to England and participates in the RAC and Townsend Championships.Thoreson but his parents claim him to return to Brazil and work in the family business due to the lack of sponsorship in England. After a short time he returns to the island due to an offer proposed by the team of Formula Ford.
Participate in different championships with the team West Surrey Racing being observed by Frank Williams, manager and coach of Formula 1, attracting the teams of Williams, McLaren, Bragham and Toleman and actively participating with the latter, being a partner of the Venezuelan Johnny Cecotto.
Become part of Formula 1 participating in all kinds of Prizes in Brazil, San Marino South Africa, Belgium, Great Britain, Portugal and Italy, obtaining unbeatable results and climbing positions to position itself as one of the great legends of Formula 1.
Die in the San Marino Grand Prix the May 1, 1994, due to an impact of 211 kilometers per hour against a wall. He is buried in the Morumbi cemetery in São Paulo.