1997 Zanardi dominated the open test for CART participants at Laguna Seca setting an unofficial track record with a lap of 118.806 mph. He also won at Long Beach, Cleveland, Michigan, Mid-Ohio and Road America to become the 1997 PPG Cup Champion, with 195 points. His victory at Michigan was his first career win on an oval and he joined Jacques Villeneuve as the only PPG CART World series drivers to win Rookie of the Year honours and the PPG Cup championship in their first two seasons in the series. Zanardi also became the first Italian-born driver to win the PPG Cup championship since Mario Andretti in 1984. He started on the pole at Homestead, Australia, Cleveland and Vancouver establishing a PPG CART World Series record for consecutive pole positions at Homestead and Australia. He also became the eighth driver to win three consecutive PPG CART World Series events with his victories at Michigan, Mid-Ohio and Road America and the seventh to win the championship during that same season.
1996 Registered three victories and a series-leading six poles en route to the Jim Trueman Rookie of the Year award. Driving for Target/Chip Ganassi Racing, he finished third in the PPG Cup points (132), the highest showing by a rookie since Nigel Mansell won the title in 1993. All three of his triumphs came from the pole (Portland, Mid-Ohio and Laguna Seca). Other poles came at Rio, his career first in CART, Road America and Vancouver. He established new track qualifying records at Mid-Ohio, Vancouver and Laguna Seca. He was the most dominant driver in the second half of the season with three victories and three other podium finishes in the final eight races. Led the series in times led (26) and laps led (610). The 610 laps led established a new single-season rookie record, eclipsing the mark of 603 set by Mansell in 1993. The total ranks in a tie for seventh all-time with Mario Andretti (1987). Started on the front row in the final eight races to tie a series record for most consecutive front-row starts held by Bobby Unser (1979-80) and Bobby Rahal (1985). He led the series in most points scored on road courses (117 in 10 races) and became the first Italian driver to win a race since Teo Fabi in 1989.
1995 Debuted the new Lotus Esprit in the British Racing Production championship. Won the GT2 class at Silverstone and finished fourth overall. He received strong recommendations from Formula One and Reynard, which prompted CART owner Chip Ganassi to ask for a test session. He made a strong impression and was signed by Target/Chip Ganassi Racing for the 1996 season.
1994 He recovered from injuries as a result of a 1993 accident and began the year as a test driver for Lotus. He moved back into the Formula One series when he replaced injured Pedro Lamy after four races. Lotus' debts forced the team into receivership and then closed its doors.
1993 Signed by Lotus team owner Peter Collins to compete in Formula One. He captured his first championship points with a sixth-place finish at Brazil, but the season ended prematurely after an accident in Belgium due to suspension failure.
1992 Accepted a position as the Benetton Formula One test driver. Made three Formula One starts for the Minardi team when Christian Fittipaldi was injured.
1991 Moved on to Formula 3000 and finished runnerup in the championship race, five points behind Christian Fittipaldi. His strong performance caught the attention of Formula One team owner Eddie Jordan, who hired Zanardi to replace Michael Schumacher for the final three Grand Prix races of the season. He finished ninth in his Formula One debut in Spain despite no pre-race testing.
1990 Finished runner up in the Italian Formula 3 championship in his third season in the series. The season was highlighted by a pair of victories and four other podium visits. He won the pole at Monaco and was also victorious in the F3 European Cup at LeMans.
1989 Returned to Italian Formula 3 for a second season and recorded two poles and two runnerup finishes.
1988 Made his debut in Italian Formula 3.
1987 Advanced to the premier go-kart class in Europe. Won five European championship events.
1985 Had support from the same karting company that had once backed the late three-time Formula One champion Ayrton Senna. He earned karting victories in Italy, Europe and Australia.
1984 Moved into international go-karting competition and captured victories in Hong Kong, France and Germany.
1980 Began racing go-karts in Italy and won several national events over the next few years.
