Louis Chiron

Driver of the Foch Marshal

As nationality free-Monegasque, it was used in artillery during the First World War. At the end of the hostilities, he managed to become personal driver of the marshals Foch and Pétain, thus aguerrissant himself with the handling of a car.

Spearhead of Bugatti

Engaged in hill climbs as of 1923, it began on circuit in 1926 on Bugatti, encouraged by Albert Hoffman, owner of a pharmaceutical company. Located the following year, by Ettore Bugatti, it joined its team as a pilot of reserve. As of 1928, the Monegasque became the leader of the mark, carrying it with the Grand Prix of Spain and Italy then, the following year, of Germany and Italy. In parallel, Louis Chiron was, this year, one of the organizers of the first Grand Prix of Monaco. The rise to power of the Italians Alfa Romeo and Maserati at the beginning of the following decade did not prevent it from adding the Grands Prix of Europe (1930), of Monaco (1931), France (with Varzi in 1931) or of Czechoslovakia (1931 and 1932) to its escarcelle.

At the wheel of P3

After one season 1932 dominated by the Alfa Romeo P3, Chiron left Bugatti to form with his/her friend Rudolf Caracciola the Scuderia DC (like Chiron and Caracciola). Buying two Alfa Romeo, the Monegasque and the German could expect one year full with success. Unfortunately, Caracciola was victim of a terrible accident as of the Grand Prix of Monaco. Finding itself only, Chiron dissolves the team at the semi-season to join the Alfa Romeo Scuderia Ferrari, carrying occasion consequently a third consecutive victory in Czechoslovakia. The automobile competition took a new turning in 1934 with the engagement of the Germans Mercedes and Auto Union. In runner of experiment, the Monegasque however managed to sign one of the most resounding victories of the automobile Sport at the time of the Grand Prix of France after having embanked the whole of the Flèches of Money.

Experiment mitigated at Mercedes

The Italian cars being outclassed more and more by the Germans, Chiron agreed to join Mercedes for 1936, encouraged by his/her friend Caracciola. Paining to equalize its team-members Caracciola or Von Brauchitsch, it was victim of a terrible accident to the Grand Prix of Germany; leaving itself there without too much wounds, the Monegasque preferred to put a term at his career.

Everlasting the " Renard"

Chiron made a short reappearance in 1937 in the category of the Sport scars, gaining the Grand Prix of France (then disputed with this type of cars in order to avoid the domination of the Germanic cars) over Talbot and disputing the 24:00 of Mans 1938 on a Delahaye.

With the general surprise, Louis decided to take again the way of the circuits after the war. Of 1946 with 1949, it thus carried out the Talbot Lago of the Ecurie France, gaining the Grand Prix of France 1947 1949.

Whereas the first Championnat of the world of Formula 1 was held in 1950, the " Renard" old man; proved that it could always be fast by finishing third of the Grand Prix of Monaco for the stable Maserati. The veteran of the circuits continued in 1951 on the Talbot Lago of Louis Rosier before knowing a serious accident with Silverstone in 1952. Of return the following year, it gained the Rallye of Monte Carlo 1954 and episodically appeared on the Grands Prix of Formule 1 (primarily in Monaco). By finishing sixth of this race in 1956, he remains the oldest pilot in addition to have taken the departure of a Grand Prix of the championship of the world (56 years).

The end of a career of Chiron was carried out cepedant primarily at the wheel of sport scars (OSCA) and, after having missed the qualifications of the Grand Prix of Monaco 1957, 1958, it stopped the competition definitively.

At the request of the Prince Rainier, Louis Chiron occupied the functions of general police chief of the Grand Prix of Monaco and the Rallye of Monte Carlo until in 1979.

----

Random links: