Alright so, I decided to delve deeper into Nissany's "career", because all everyone remembers about him is that 'Friday adventure' during the Hungarian GP in the summer of 2005. But what about the rest? Was he
really the worst driver to ever sit in a Formula One car?
Well, after compiling all of this below, I would be inclined to make that statement, yes.
What Chanoch Nissany did, in the space of only
1 year and 9 months, is quite unique.
Birthdate: July 29th, 1963
Marital status: Married
Height: 174cm
Weight: 71kg
Hobbies: running, fitness
Favourite meal: pasta & sushi
Favourite drink: mineral water
Languages: Hebrew, Hungarian & EnglishChanoch started his racing career in 2002 at the age of 39. He ended it seven years later, and during this time (2002-2009)
he raced in the Hungarian Whatever Championship and some more Whatever Championships.
But right in the middle of this time-period, he managed something great. Something
truly great.
And what he did will now be dissected in detail
(in order by date):
2004Took part in a Official International FIA F3000 3-day test at Jerez, for Team Coloni. 40½ years old.
Feb 16th, 2004 (Day 1)
5.051 seconds off the best time of Raffaele Gianmaria.
Feb 17th, 2004 (Day 2)
almost everyone improved their times from the previous day,
but Nissany did not.6.854 seconds off the best time of Jose Maria Lopez.
Feb 18th, 2004 (Day 3)
set his fastest lap time of the three days, but was still6.335 seconds off the best time of Jose Maria Lopez.
Paolo Coloni wrote:I was very satisfied with the performance of all my drivers.
July 14th, 2004 (nearly 41 years old)
Took part in a Official Silverstone test for Jordan.
Managed 25 laps and was 18.501 seconds off the best time of the day (Kimi Raikkonen, McLaren).
Took part in three International FIA F3000 races for Team ColoniAugust 14th, 2004 - Hungaroring
Spun out and retired on lap 23/35, shortly after making a pit stop for tyres. Teammate Patrick Friesacher won the race.
4.159 seconds off the pole position.
Paolo Coloni on Nissany's qualifying pace wrote:He did a really solid performance.
Personal best lap of the race was 25.534 seconds off the fastest lap by (Tomas Enge).
August 28th, 2004 - Spa-Francorchamps
Gearbox DNF on lap 7/22.
7.970 seconds off the pole position!
Paolo Coloni on Nissany's qualifying pace wrote:Chanoch continued his learning programme.
It is encouraging for him that he is not on the back row of the grid.
Personal best lap of the race was 13.303 seconds off the fastest lap!
Paolo Coloni on Nissany's race pace wrote:It's a shame for Chanoch because he drove well without making any mistakes.
September 11th, 2004 - Monza
Finished the race in 12th and last position. +1 lap (Race = 26 laps)
5.153 seconds off the pole position.
Personal best lap of the race was 3.549 seconds off the fastest lap.
September 28th, 2004Took part in a second F1 test for Jordan.
This time it was a private test at Silverstone. Chanoch did more than 100 laps on the shorter "National Circuit".
A Jordan spokesman wrote:Nissany drove consistently strongly throughout the session.
Funny how the "Jordan spokesman" wanted to remain nameless apparently.
Took part in a private 2-day test for Minardi at Misano (a fairly short circuit, mind).
November 22nd, 2004 (Day1)
Did 41 laps and was 3.630 seconds off the fastest time of the day, set by his teammate (Patrick Friesacher).
November 23rd, 2004 (Day 2)
Did 50 laps and was 2.210 seconds off the fastest time of the day, set by teammate (Will Power).
What a year!________________________________________________________________
2005January 20th, 2005Took part in a private test for Minardi at Misano.
Did 27 laps and was 7.060 seconds off the fastest time of the day, set by teammate (Albers).
Chanoch Nissany wrote:I'm satisfied with the job I've done today.
Feb 2nd, 2005Signed by Minardi as official test driver. an out-of-his-mind Paul Stoddart wrote:He has impressed us with his enthusiasm and his fitness.
This can only be a good thing.
Feb 4th, 2005Two days later took part in a private test for Minardi at Misano.
Did 6 laps and was 11.110 seconds off the fastest time of the day, set by teammate (Albers).
Chanoch spun
five times and caused
two red flags.
Great signing, Paul.
Took part in a Official 2-day Mugello test for Minardi.
(Almost 42 years old)April 27th, 2005 (Day 1)
Did 26 laps and his personal best was 18.873 seconds off the fastest time of the day set by Takuma Sato (B.A.R.)
Chanoch also collided with his teammate Christijan Albers. Both chassis were damaged and in need of repairs.
The reason for the collision was "misunderstanding about track position".
When Albers was going to overtake Nissany, Nissany made a sudden manoeuvre.
Christijan Albers wrote:At 13.00 we had lunch, but after only two laps after lunch Nissany decided to take me out in the last corner. He was on the left side to let me pass but when I got near him he went towards the right all of a sudden so I crashed straight into him.
Tomorrow the car should be prepared again to continue testing. Fortunately I'm physically ok which is most important in the end.
April 28th, 2005 (Day 2)
Did 16 laps and his personal best was 19.260 seconds off the fastest time set by Jenson Button (B.A.R.)
And now the big one:July 28th, 2005Paul Stoddart announced that Nissany would take part in the official Friday practice session during the
2005 Hungarian Grand Prix:
This can only be a good thing for the overall health of the World Championship.
"this can only be a good thing" - Deja vu, anyone? He said the same thing on Feb 2nd, 2005.
July 29th, 2005 (Chanoch's 42nd birthday)
Friday practice for the Hungarian GP:
Did 8 laps and his personal best was 12.908 seconds off the fastest time set by Alex Wurz (McLaren).
You're sure you know how to remove the steering wheel?Lap times were very important to Nissany.Sector 1:
3.051 seconds behind Wurz.
Sector 2:
5.297 seconds behind Wurz.
Sector 3:
3.737 seconds behind Wurz.
Speed trap:
18.2 km/h slower than Wurz.
Wurz was the fastest of all drivers in all of those categories.
Chanoch was craned off the circuit, after spinning out, whilst still seated in the car as he couldn't remove his steering wheel.
Really? After all that previous testing...
Watch these:http://youtu.be/ofWSBHbgUlghttp://youtu.be/d84J8mJKZwchttp://youtu.be/vE-IroQoKvEOn the Monday right after the race: August 1st, 2005Nick Heidfeld wrote:He doesn't belong in Formula 1.
Someone that is as slow as Nissany shouldn't be in a Formula One car. He is a big risk out there (on track) and he can be a danger to the others.
Next took part in a private 3-day test for Minardi at Vallelunga.November 21st, 2005 (Day 1)
Did 19 laps and his personal best was 8.024 seconds off the fastest time of the day, set by teammate Luca Fillipi.
And of course, managed to spin off the circuit, needing transportation back to the pits.
November 22nd, 2005 (Day 2)
Did 28 laps and his personal best was 5.997 seconds off the fastest time of the day, set by teammate Davide Rigon (Rigon only did 20 laps).
November 23rd, 2005 (Day 3)
Did 50 laps and his personal best was 3.631 seconds off the fastest time of the day, set by teammate Juan Caceres (Caceres only did 10 laps!).
Nissany was also 3.474 seconds off Katherine Legge's best time (and Legge only did 27 laps).
Oh Chanoch...
Paul Stoddart after Nov 23 test wrote:Chanoch steadily improved throughout the day.
Chanoch Nissany after Nov 23 test wrote:It's definitely been a good day. I was able to improve a lot in the course of the morning and afternoon sessions,
and the track was in good condition for most of the day.
Then why so incredibly far off the pace, Chanoch?
And with that, Chanoch Nissany rode into the sunset and never participated in the big leagues again:
Come on, he made Ide look like a master at car control.
And even Deletraz managed to weave on the track without causing mayhem, and that was during a race!
Nissany weaved and crashed during testing.
Inoue, Badoer, Lavaggi, Mazzacane.....Nissany wins over them all. At being the worst.
Simple fact is, Chanoch Nissany was 20 years too old, and 20 seconds too slow.
But hey, he got to drive different F1 cars for thousands of kms, and even got to meet Bernie Ecclestone!
I keep having this wonderful fantasy that Nissany should have raced for Midland in 2006 at 43 years of age.
Think about it, it all makes perfect sense. Midland bought Jordan for the '06 season, and Nissany knew everyone there from having tested a couple of times with the team.
Nissany was also fresh from having driven thousands of kms for Jordan & Minardi the last two years.
In hindsight Midland only lasted for one season anyway, and they scored exactly 0 points in their one and only season, so what could it hurt to have had Nissany as the #2 driver?
And Nissany had already worn 'JVC' on his overalls, so right there would be continuity with that sponsor. Perfect.
Honestly, who doesn't nowadays immediately think of Chanoch Nissany when seeing the JVC logo?