Olivier
Gendebien

Olivier Gendebien was born in Brussels on 12 January 1924. He first worked as a forester in the Belgian Congo and returned to Europe in 1952, where he began his career in rallying. In 1954 he won the Tulip Rally with Pierre Stasse in an Alfa Romeo 1900 TI. In 1955, driving a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL, he won the Liège-Rome-Liège Rally, the Dolomites Cup and the Rally Stella Alpina. These results brought him to the attention of Enzo Ferrari, and from 1956 Gendebien drove for Ferrari in sportscar races and selected Grands Prix.

He made his Formula One debut at the 1956 Argentine Grand Prix. For the most part he was a reserve driver who only occasionally got a drive, and between 1956 and 1961 he made 14 starts. He drove for Ferrari in 1956, 1958 and 1959. In 1960 he raced a Cooper for the Yeoman Credit Racing team of British Racing Partnership. That year he took both of his podium finishes, second in the French Grand Prix and third in the Belgian Grand Prix in front of his home crowd. Sixth place in the championship that year was his best final position. His team-mate Chris Bristow was killed in an accident during the Belgian race. In 1961 Gendebien appeared for Emeryson, Ferrari and Lotus and finished the season 13th in the standings. He crashed his Lotus in practice for the United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen.

In sportscar racing he won several long-distance races. In 1956 he finished third in the 24 Hours of Le Mans with Maurice Trintignant. He then won the race four times for Ferrari: in 1958, 1961 and 1962 alongside Phil Hill, and in 1960 with Paul Frère. No driver won more often at Le Mans until 1981, when fellow Belgian Jacky Ickx took his fifth victory. Gendebien also won the Targa Florio three times (1958, 1961, 1962), the 12 Hours of Sebring three times (1959 to 1961), the 12 Hours of Reims twice (1957, 1958) and the 1000 km of the Nürburgring in 1962. Turn 15 at Sebring is named after him.

Gendebien retired from racing in 1962 at the age of 38, after his fourth win at Le Mans. In 1998 King Albert II appointed him to the Belgian Order of the Crown. He died at Les Baux-de-Provence on 2 October 1998.

Source: Wikipedia, “Olivier Gendebien”. Text licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.