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F1 Report

Olivier Gendebien

born 12 Jan 1924 · raced 1956–1961

14Races
0Wins
2Podiums
9Top 10s
6.27Avg Position
8.64Avg Grid Pos
1Constructor Titles

Olivier Gendebien, a Belgian gentleman racer, competed in F1 sporadically while primarily focusing on sports car endurance racing, where he achieved considerable success. Renowned for his smooth, intelligent driving style and strategic approach, he secured four victories at the 24 Hours of Le Mans for Ferrari, a record at the time. Despite his limited F1 appearances, Gendebien demonstrated his talent by achieving 2 podium finishes from his 14 starts, showcasing his versatility and natural pace even without a full-time commitment to single-seater racing. His career epitomized a bygone era where top drivers often excelled across multiple disciplines.

Top Teams

Team
Wins
Pod.
Pts
Cooper-Climax0210
Ferrari008
Lotus-Climax000
Emeryson000

Top Circuits

Circuit
Wins
Avg pts
Reims-Gueux03
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps02.33

Points are Grand Prix points as awarded at the time (sprints excluded); average points are per race started.

Most-shared teammates. Each link opens their head-to-head.

Olivier Gendebien season-by-season championship record
SeasonChampionship positionWinsPoints
1961148 places lower than 196003
196069 places higher than 1959010
19591503
1958—00
19562302
Every season Olivier Gendebien was compared against a teammate
SeasonTeamMatchupRace
1960Cooper-ClimaxBrooks vs Gendebien2–2
1960Cooper-ClimaxGendebien vs Taylor2–1
1958FerrariGendebien vs Hawthorn0–3
19613 races▾
Olivier Gendebien race results in 1961
Grand PrixGridResultPts
15P110
—Withdrew0
3P43
Earlier seasons1956–1960 (4 seasons)▾
19605 racesCooper-Climax▾
Olivier Gendebien race results in 1960
Grand PrixGridResultPts
8P125 places worse than season average (P6.6)0
14P70
12P90
9P25 places better than season average (P6.6)6
5P34

▲/▼ a finish at least 4 places better/worse than Olivier Gendebien’s average finish in 1960 (P6.6, retirements excluded).

19592 racesFerrari▾
Olivier Gendebien race results in 1959
Grand PrixGridResultPts
6P60
11P43
19583 racesFerrari▾
Olivier Gendebien race results in 1958
Grand PrixGridResultPts
6Accident0
5Suspension0
6P60
19562 racesFerrari▾
Olivier Gendebien race results in 1956
Grand PrixGridResultPts
11Clutch0
10P52