» It’s “The Flying Mullet’s” birthday today!

Gastón Mazzacane – better known to many as “The Flying Mullet” – is celebrating his 35th birthday today!

The Argentinean somehow found his way into the second Minardi seat for the 2000 season, after an undistinguished pedigree in the lower categories. Despite few expectations of him, he surprised his critics with many sensible – albeit, not particularly quick – drives and was an extremely consistent race finisher throughout the season.

That being said, Gastón certainly didn’t disgrace himself, and one of the principal highlights of his career was running as high as third during the pit stop sequence at the United States Grand Prix, overtaking none other than an incandescent Mika Häkkinen (left)!

Gastón – or, rather, his PSN sponsorship – found a home with the financially strapped Prost team for the 2000 season, but after four well and truly anonymous, off-the-pace races, he was quietly eased aside and replaced by the accident-prone Luciano Burti.

Gastón now competes in the Top Race V6 championship, Argentina’s equivalent to stock car racing.