Franco Comotti

Gianfranco "Franco" Comotti (July 24, 1906 – May 10, 1963) was an Italian racecar driver. He participated in two World Championship Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on 3 September 1950. He scored no championship points. He also participated in numerous non-Championship Formula One races.

Racing career

A native of Bergamo, he first appeared at the 1928 Italian Grand Prix in one of Scuderia Materassi’s Talbots. After this race Comotti disappeared from the racing scene but he returned in 1931 when he won the cyclecar race at the Circuito di Alessandria in a Salmson. He then brought an Alfa Romeo Monza sports car to Scuderia Ferrari in Modena for servicing and became an official driver for the team in 1932. In 1934 Comotti won the Grand Prix du Comminges for Ferrari. Later that year he finished third at the 1934 Italian Grand Prix together with Carlo Felice Trossi. Comotti continued to drive for Ferrari until the end of 1935.

In 1937 Comotti moved to France and joined the Talbot team as a test driver. He tested cars for clients and was a reserve driver for the racing team. That year he won the RAC Tourist Trophy at Donington Park. Comotti left the team at the end of the season and joined Laurie and Lucy Schells’ Ecurie Bleue racing for 1938, driving a Delahaye. That year he made his first Grand Prix start at Germany, and also made his only start at Le Mans. But he retired early in both races.

After the war Comotti became a test driver of the new Talbot-Lago T26C. He also made some Grand Prix start with that car in 1948. In 1950 Comotti became a test driver for Scuderia Milano and also made his first World Championship Formula One Grands Prix at the Italian Grand Prix. He made his second and last World Championship Grand Prix start at the 1952 French Grand Prix, driving a Ferrari for Scuderia Marzotto.

Comotti was one of nine founders of the Club international des anciens pilotes de Grand Prix F1 (1962).

Personal life

Comotti was born in Brescia, but grew up in Bergamo. He worked in the oil business for his entire life. In 1932 he married Anna Maria Peduzzi (1912–79), who was one of the best female drivers of Italy. Her career lasted even longer than her husband’s.

After his retirement from racing he worked for BP in North Africa.

Racing record

Complete 24 Hours of Le Mans results

Complete European Championship results

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Post WWII Grandes Épreuves results

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Complete Formula One World Championship results

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