Robert O'Brien (racing driver)

Robert O'Brien (April 11, 1908 – February 10, 1987)[1] was a racing driver from the United States. He participated in one Formula One World Championship Grand Prix, the 1952 Belgian Grand Prix.

Robert O'Brien
Born(1908-04-11)April 11, 1908
DiedFebruary 10, 1987(1987-02-10) (aged 78)
Formula One World Championship career
NationalityUnited States American
Active years1952
Teamsprivateer Simca-Gordini
Entries1
Championships0
Wins0
Podiums0
Career points0
Pole positions0
Fastest laps0
First entry1952 Belgian Grand Prix
Last entry1952 Belgian Grand Prix

Career

O'Brien was born in Lyndhurst, New Jersey. He mostly raced sports cars in the US, finishing fourth in the 1952 12 Hours of Sebring in a Ferrari 166 MM shared with Richard Cicurel.[2]

He later made a few appearances in Europe through his contacts in Belgium.[1] This included an appearance at the 1952 Belgian Grand Prix driving a Simca-Gordini T15 at Spa-Francorchamps. Qualifying slowest of the 22 entrants, 1 minute 23 seconds slower than the fastest time of Alberto Ascari, O'Brien circulated at the back and finished 14th of the 15 finishers.[2] He subsequently drove (and retired) the same car in a race at the Grenzlandring in Germany before returning to the US.[2][3]

O'Brien is one of the more obscure drivers to have participated in the Formula One World Championship, and unsubstantiated rumours arose that he was involved with the CIA and operated as a spy. He was later involved in the motor industry in his home state and in New York.[1][2]

O'Brien died in Hackensack, New Jersey in 1987.

Complete Formula One World Championship results

(key)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 WDC Pts
1952 Robert O'Brien Simca-Gordini 15 Gordini 1500 1.5 L4 SUI 500 BEL
14
FRA GBR GER NED ITA NC 0

References

  1. "Where Are They Now?". Retrieved 23 April 2008.
  2. "Robert O'Brien at the MotorSport Magazine database". MotorSport Magazine. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  3. "1952 Grenzlandring Race". Chicane F1. Retrieved 8 September 2020.

Further reading

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