Clemente Biondetti

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Clemente Biondetti (born August 18, 1898 in Budduso, Sardinia; died February 24, 1955 in Florence) was an Italian auto racing driver.

[edit] Biography

Born into a working class family, Biondetti began racing motorcycles in 1923 but in 1927 turned to automobiles. By 1931 his performance earned him a spot in Grand Prix motor racing with the Maserati factory team.

His success racing on circuits was minimal, but he was one of the best in tough endurance events. Driving an Alfa Romeo, Clemente Biondetti won the 1938 Mille Miglia for sports cars and at the Coppa Ciano finished second in the voiturette class then third in the main event. In 1939, he won the Coppa Acerbo voiturette class and took second place at the Swiss Grand Prix. His racing career came to a halt following the outbreak of World War II in 1940. By the time he was able to resume racing after the war, he was already 49 years old. Nevertheless, he dominated Italian endurance racing, driving to victory in the Mille Miglia for three straight years from 1947 through 1949 and the Targa Florio in 1948 and 1949. He won more Mille Miglias than any other driver in history.

Clemente Biondetti participated in one Formula one World Championship event, the 1950 Italian Grand Prix. Driving a self-built Ferrari-Jaguar hybrid car, engine problems forced him out of the race thus he failed to score any championship points. Biondetti loved racing cars and continued to compete in sports car and endurance events, earning a second place finish in a Ferrari at the 12 Hours of Pescara in 1952 against much younger drivers. After suffering from cancer for a number of years, he was forced him to retire in 1954. He died early the following year at 57 years old.

[edit] Major victories

• Coppa Acerbo 1939
• Mille Miglia 1938, 1947, 1948, 1949
• Targa Florio 1948, 1949

[edit] Complete Formula One World Championship Results

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

Year	Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Team	WDC	Points
1950	Clemente Biondetti	GBR	MON	INDY	SWI	BEL	FRA	ITA Ret	Clemente Biondetti	-	0