The last survivor of the inaugural Formula One World Championship in 1950 – Robert Manzon – has died. He was 97.
The Frenchman first became interested in cars while working as a mechanic, making his racing debut in a Cisitalia D46 in 1947. His talent was clear to see and he scored some impressive results, enough to earn a place on the Gordini works team.
The outfit fostered his talent in both single-seaters and sports cars, with a notable third place coming in the Formula 2 Grand Prix of Geneva in 1948. He made his world championship debut at the 1950 Monaco Grand Prix, but got caught up in a multiple accident on the first lap.
Despite Gordini's poor reliability he persevered, finishing in the points at several Grands Prix throughout the 1952 season, in which he placed sixth overall.
By 1953, Manzon had left Gordini and returned to sportscars, racing for Lancia, before taking a seat in Louis Rosier's privateer Ferrari for the '54 Formula One season. The change did him good, and he secured his second and final podium finish at the French GP.
