Robert O'Brien (racing driver)

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.

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