Alexandros Margaritis

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Alexandros Margaritis

Nationality Flag of Greece Greek - Flag of Germany German
Date of Birth September 20, 1984 (1984-09-20) (age 23)
Place of Birth Bonn (Germany)
Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters
Years active 2005-2007
Teams Persson Motorsport
Mücke Motorsport
Starts 28
Wins 0
Poles 0
Best finish 11th in 2006
Previous series
2004
2003-2004
2002
2002
2001-2002
FIA GT Championship
Formula Three Euroseries
German Formula Renault
Formula Renault 2000 Eurocup
Formula BMW ADAC

Alexandros (Alex) Margaritis (born September 20, 1984 in Bonn, Germany) is a racing driver who is best known for competing in the German-based Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters touring car championship. Prior that, his career had focussed on formula single seater racing in Europe. Margaritis has dual nationality as a result of his place of birth and Greek parentage.

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[edit] Karting and formula racing

Margaritis had his first experience of karting in 1996 and in 1997, he competed in the ICA Junior class, in which he secured the championship runner-up position. He spent the next two seasons competing in the International Junior class in Germany, finishing 4th overall in 1999. In the following year, Margaritis made his single seater formula debut in the Formula BMW ADAC championship. In 2001, he achieved three podium finishes and one pole position on the way to 6th in the championship standings.

After one season in German Formula Renault, in which he finished 7th overall, Margaritis made his Formula Three debut in the first season of the new Formula Three Euroseries. He achieved one podium finish and two pole positions during the first year and retained a place in the series in 2004.

[edit] Touring cars

Margaritis driving for Mercedes-Benz (Persson Motorsport) in the 2006 DTM season.
Margaritis driving for Mercedes-Benz (Persson Motorsport) in the 2006 DTM season.

In 2005, Margaritis moved from formula racing to touring cars when an opportunity arose in one of Europe's most high-profile touring car championships. He was signed by Mücke Motorsport, which was making the same transition between disciplines.

In a 2004-specification AMG Mercedes C Klasse, Margaritis did not achieve any points finishes; his best finish was 9th place at Spa-Francorchamps. He then moved to Persson Motorsport as the third driver in its 2006 line-up alongside Matthias Lauda and Jean Alesi. He was classified 11th in the standings, with a total of 11 points, and achieved a best finish of 5th position in the season's first race. Persson has retained his services alongside Paul di Resta and Gary Paffett.

On February 27, 2008, Margaritis announced his intention to leave the DTM and seek a position in another championship or category, citing as a primary factor the handicap of competing in year-old cars against machinery of factory specification.[1] Margaritis was later signed by Strakka Racing to participate in the 2008 24 Hours of Le Mans in an Aston Martin DBR9.[2]

[edit] Sources

[edit] References

  1. ^ Elizalde, P. "Margaritis leaves DTM", Autosport.com, February 27, 2008. Retrieved on February 27, 2008.
  2. ^ Strakka Racing Drivers join Vitaphone Racing at Le Mans. Planet Le Mans (12 May 2008). Retrieved on 2008-05-12.