Former GP winner passes away

[davewilson]

Baron Emmanuel ‘Toulo’ de Graffenried, one of the last surviving drivers from the titanic pre-war era of grand prix racing, has died at the age of 92.

From a prominent Swiss family, de Graffenried competed in private Maseratis in the 1930s.

He enjoyed most success in the immediate post-war period, winning the 1949 British Grand Prix at Silverstone with Enrico Plate’s Maserati team.

Following the inauguration of the world championship in 1950, de Graffenried achieved a best result of fourth (at Spa in 1953) although he won several non-championship events.

He retired after the 1956 Italian GP but returned to the F1 scene in the 1970s as an ambassador for tobacco company Philip Morris.

De Graffenried’s death means that none of the drivers who started the first world championship race at Silverstone in 1950 is still alive.

The Stig

[Wizzo]

This is very sad news indeed, my thoughts are with his friends and family.