History

RIP Paul Frère (30-01-1917 - 23-02-2008)

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Sad news this weekend from Belgium where it was announced that former racing driver and journalist Paul Frère passed away at the age of 91. Despite his age Frère was still a welcome guest at several circuits and was seen at multiple events last season.

Paul Frère was born in Le Havre, France on January 30, 1917 and after starting his racing career on two wheels in 1946, Frère switched to cars in 1948. Between 1952 and 1956 Frère competed in 11 Formula One Grand Prix races, scoring his best result in his final grand prix, the Belgian Grand Prix on June 3 1956. After 36 laps around the 14.120km long circuit Frère takes the second place in his Ferrari.

But for the (older) sportscar fans Frère is best known for his long distance racing career. In 1953 Frère won his class in the Mille Miglia and finished 15th overall, but first in his class at the Le Mans 24 Hours. Two years later, in the tragic 1955 edition, Frère finished second overall and first in his class, together with Peter Collins in a Aston Martin DB3S. In the years that followed he took fourth overall in 1957, class winner and fourth overall in 1958 and second overall in 1959.

1960 was the most successful year for Frère. He won South African Grand Prix (a non-championship F1 race) for Cooper, the sportscar race at Spa and most important he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans, driving a Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa together with Olivier Gendebien.

After his active racing career ended he went on with his other passion, automotive journalism.
Frère wrote articles for many magazines and also released several books regarding sports cars and Porsche.

In 2007 just before his 90th birthday Frère was seriously injured in an accident near the Nürburgring but survived the accident and was back in the paddock a few months later. Unfortunately a few weeks ago his health deteriorated and Frère was taken to hospital, where he also celebrated his 91st birthday. On Saturday Paul Frère passed away.