Olivier Gendebien
Olivier Gendebien | |
|---|---|
Gendebien c. 1961 | |
| Born | Olivier Jean Marie Fernand Gendebien 12 January 1924 Brussels, Belgium |
| Died | 2 October 1998 (aged 74) Les Baux-de-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône, France |
| Formula One World Championship career | |
| Nationality | Belgian |
| Active years | 1955–1956, 1958–1961 |
| Teams | ENB, Ferrari, BRP |
| Entries | 18 (14 starts) |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 2 |
| Career points | 18 |
| Pole positions | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| First entry | 1955 Belgian Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 1961 United States Grand Prix |
| World Sportscar Championship career | |
| Years active | 1953–1962 |
| Teams | Jaguar, Panhard, Francorchamps, Mercedes, ENB, Ferrari, Bonnier, Porsche, Serenissima, NART |
| Starts | 41 |
| Wins | 11 |
| Podiums | 23 |
| Poles | 1 |
| Fastest laps | 4 |
| 24 Hours of Le Mans career | |
| Years | 1955–1962 |
| Teams | ENB, Ferrari |
| Best finish | 1st (1958, 1960, 1961, 1962) |
| Class wins | 4 (1958, 1960, 1961, 1962) |
Olivier Jean Marie Fernand Gendebien (French pronunciation: [ɔlivje ʒɑ̃dəbjɛ̃]; 12 January 1924 – 2 October 1998) was a Belgian racing driver, who competed in Formula One from 1955 to 1961. Widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers in the history of sportscar racing, Gendebien was a four-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Ferrari, a three-time winner of the 12 Hours of Sebring, and a three-time winner of the Targa Florio.
Born and raised in Brussels, Gendebien was initially a forester in the Belgian Congo before moving back to Europe in 1952, where he began his career in rallying. He won his first event driving an Alfa Romeo 1900 TI at the Tulip Rally in 1954. Gendebien added to his successes by winning the Liège–Rome–Liège Rally, Dolomites Gold Cup Race and Rally Stella Alpina in 1955, driving a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL. Attracting the attention of Enzo Ferrari, Gendebien signed for Ferrari in 1956 to compete in Formula One and sportscars, making his debut in the former at the Argentine Grand Prix.
Gendebien was appointed to the Order of the Crown of Belgium by Albert II in 1998.