Antonio Zanini

Antonio Zanini Sans (Barcelona, 9 February 1948), nicknamed the “Marqués de Viladrau”, is one of the leading Spanish rally drivers of the 1970s and 1980s. After starting in motocross and enduro, he moved into cars in the early 1970s and developed a long career with manufacturers including SEAT, Porsche and Ferrari.

Zanini won nine Spanish national rally titles between 1974 and 1984. In 1977, partnered by Juan Petisco and driving a SEAT, he finished third on the Monte Carlo Rally and became the first Spanish driver to score a podium in a World Rally Championship event. He was European Rally Championship runner-up in 1976 and 1979 and achieved his greatest international success in 1980, when he became European Rally Champion in a Porsche 911 SC. He also won the Critérium Montseny-Guilleries six times.

After his competitive career he remained involved in motorsport in preparation and advisory roles. In 2007 he received the Silver Medal of Spain’s Royal Order of Sporting Merit.