Baron Emmanuel Leo Ludwig 'Toulo' de Graffenried (18 May 1914, Paris, France – 22 January 2007, Lonay, Switzerland) was a Swiss motor racing driver. He participated in 23 World Championship Grands Prix, debuting on 13 May 1950, and scored a total of nine championship points. He also participated in numerous non-Championship Formula One races.
Career
De Graffenried was born in Paris, the son of Swiss Baron Leo de Graffenried and his American wife Irma Stern. He began his racing career in 1936, driving his own Maserati voiturette. Some of his most memorable results came at his home track: the challenging, cobbled, street circuit at Bremgarten near Bern. He won the 1949 British Grand Prix, a year before the FIA World Championship began. In that inaugural year, de Graffenried contested four of the season's seven races, with mixed results. He continued to drive in occasional races over the next six years, with his best finish being fourth place at the 1953 Belgian Grand Prix.
Following his retirement from racing, de Graffenried managed his car dealership in Lausanne, featuring Alfa Romeo, Rolls-Royce and Ferrari automobiles. He also acted as stunt double for Kirk Douglas during the filming of The Racers. Later, he became a common figure at Formula One events during the 1970s and 1980s, as the corporate ambassador for Phillip Morris' Marlboro cigarette brand.
In recognition of his win at the first British Grand Prix, de Graffenried made his last appearance at the wheel of a racing car during the 1998 celebrations of Silverstone's 50th anniversary at age 84.
De Graffenried was the last surviving driver to have competed in the first World Championship Formula One Grand Prix.
Racing record
Complete European Championship results (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap) Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 Pts 1938 Baron de Graffenried Maserati 6C-34 Maserati 3.0 L6 FRA GER 31st 31 Ecurie Du Puy de Graffenried SUI ITA 1939 Baron de Graffenried Maserati 6C-34 Maserati 3.0 L6 BEL FRA GER SUI 25th 29
Post WWII Grandes Épreuves results (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap) Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 1947 Emmanuel de Graffenried Maserati 4CL Maserati 4CL 1.5 L4s SUI BEL ITA Enrico Platé FRA 1948 Enrico Platé Maserati 4CL Maserati 4CL 1.5 L4s MON SUI FRA ITA 1949 Emmanuel de Graffenried Maserati 4CLT/48 Maserati 4CLT 1.5 L4s GBR BEL SUI FRA Enrico Platé ITA
Complete Formula One World Championship results (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap) Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Pts 1950 Enrico Platé Maserati 4CLT/48 Maserati 4CLT 1.5 L4s GBR MON 500 SUI BEL FRA ITA NC 0 1951 SA Alfa Romeo Alfa Romeo 159 Alfa Romeo 158 1.5 L8s SUI 500 BEL ITA ESP 16th 2 Enrico Platé Maserati 4CLT/48 Maserati 4CLT 1.5 L4s FRA GBR GER 1952 Enrico Platé Maserati 4CLT/48 Platé 2.0 L4 SUI 500 BEL FRA GBR GER NED ITA NC 0 1953 Enrico Platé Maserati A6GCM Maserati A6 2.0 L6 ARG 500 NED 8th 7 Emmanuel de Graffenried BEL FRA GBR GER SUI ITA 1954 Emmanuel de Graffenried Maserati A6GCM Maserati A6 2.0 L6 ARG 500 BEL FRA GBR GER SUI ITA ESP NC 0 1956 Scuderia Centro Sud Maserati 250F Maserati 250F1 2.5 L6 ARG MON 500 BEL FRA GBR GER ITA NC 0
References
External links Obituary: 'Toulo' de Graffenried. (2007) Motor Sport, LXXXIII/4, p. 15