Capello started racing in 1976, driving go-karts. He did not transition to single-seaters until 1983, beginning in Formula Fiat Abarth. His breakthrough in tin-top racing came in 1990 when he won the Italian Superturismo Championship driving a Volkswagen Golf — a title he claimed again in 1996, this time in an Audi A4. His first significant endurance result arrived in 1997 with victory at the Vallelunga 6 Hours, again in a Volkswagen Golf.
Capello was one of six Audi drivers for Team Joest at the 1999 12 Hours of Sebring, the team's first race under that banner. Alongside compatriot Michele Alboreto and Stefan Johansson, he secured a third-place finish in the Audi R8R — the marque's first endurance podium. Returning in 2000, he finished second overall; he won the race outright in 2001 and 2002. Further Sebring wins followed in 2006, 2009, and 2012, bringing his total to five victories and placing him second all-time in overall wins at the circuit. Alongside Tom Kristensen, Capello is the only Audi driver to have won Sebring in all four generations of Audi sports prototypes — the R8, R10, R15, and R18.
Capello's debut at Le Mans came in 2000 with the Audi Sport Joest team, finishing third. In 2003, a shift in focus at Team Joest led Capello to drive for Team Bentley. Alongside Tom Kristensen and Guy Smith, he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, giving Bentley its first victory at the circuit in 73 years.
Returning to Audi for 2004, Capello joined Team Goh alongside Kristensen and Japanese driver Seiji Ara. The trio won Le Mans once more, marking the third time in five years that Audi had finished 1-2-3 at the Circuit de la Sarthe. Capello did not return to Le Mans until 2006, finishing third in the new R10 TDI. In 2007, the trio led for an extended period before a left-rear wheel issue in the 17th hour caused Capello to lose control approaching Indianapolis corner, ending their race against the barriers.
The 2008 edition proved Capello's most dramatic Le Mans win. Audi arrived as underdogs, with their fastest qualifier over five seconds slower than the pole-setting Peugeot. The Peugeots dominated the first half, consistently lapping more than three seconds clear of the Audis. A drastic weather change and the onset of rain in the second half swung momentum decisively; a well-executed pit stop and tyre strategy saw the no. 2 R10 take victory for Audi. The 2008 race was later documented in the film Truth in 24.
Capello was vice-champion of the 2000 American Le Mans Series, winning six races. He took the drivers' title outright in 2006 and 2007, both times alongside Allan McNish in the Audi Sport North America R10. He holds the record for most Petit Le Mans victories with five wins, in 2000, 2002, 2006, 2007, and 2008 — all with Audi Sport North America or Team Joest.
Capello officially retired from prototype racing in 2012 while leading the FIA World Endurance Championship, having hinted he might not return to Le Mans in 2013. Audi confirmed he would continue competing in GT3 class with the Audi R8 LMS Ultra.
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