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Alex Dias Ribeiro

Alex Dias Ribeiro, 1975.Copyright Alan Cox, 2009.  Used with permission.

Alex Dias Ribeiro, 1975.Copyright Alan Cox, 2009. Used with permission.

Alex Dias Ribeiro, Hockenheim, 2014. Copyright Peter Scholz (http://racing-slz.magix.net), 2016. Used with Permission.

Alex Dias Ribeiro, Hockenheim, 2014. Copyright Peter Scholz (http://racing-slz.magix.net), 2016. Used with Permission.

Born:

07 Nov 1948
Belo Horizonte

Nationality:

Brazil

Grands Prix:

10 (1976-1979)

F2 starts:

28 (1975-1978)

Drove the Mercedes circuit Safety Car at the Brazillian GP, after years performing this potentially lifesaving role. A former long-time touring car driver in his homeland, he is now head of a major Christian support group for sportsmen and women, acts as a pastor, and he also still has involvement in racing, through his Jesus Saves team, albeit mainly as a figurehead these days. Alex first got into the sport through a go-kart and motorbike shop that he ran in Brasilia, a business called Camber - the races he ran in and the links he forged helped him on his way. Two of his earliest customers were two teenagers who became Formula 1 drivers - Nelson Piquet and Roberto Moreno. He actually started racing in 1967 in his own self-built sportscar, before winning the Brazillian Formula Ford title in 1973. He was twice runner-up in British Formula 3 championships and won, memorably, in European Formula 2 at the Nurburgring in a private March, which more than justified his ability after a torrid year with the works March F1 team in 1977. He released his autobiography, More Than a Victory in 2022, detailing his faith, racing and pastoral duties.

Biography last updated 11 Oct 2025