Charles de Tornaco
Belgian racing driver (1927–1953)
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Baron Charles Victor Raymond André Evance de Tornaco (pronounced [ʃaʁl də toʁnako]; 7 June 1927 – 18 September 1953)[1] was a racing driver from Belgium. He participated in 4 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, debuting on 22 June 1952. He scored no championship points.
Brussels, Belgium
Belgian De Tornaco during the Albi Grand Prix, 1953 | |
| Born | 7 June 1927 Brussels, Belgium |
|---|---|
| Died | 18 September 1953 (aged 26) Modena, Italy |
| Formula One World Championship career | |
| Nationality | Belgian |
| Active years | 1952–1953 |
| Teams | non-works Ferrari |
| Entries | 4 (2 starts) |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 0 |
| Career points | 0 |
| Pole positions | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| First entry | 1952 Belgian Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 1953 Belgian Grand Prix |
De Tornaco was the co-founder of Ecurie Belgique, which later became Ecurie Francorchamps, and most of his racing career was with this team, driving Ferraris. His father, Baron Raymond de Tornaco (1886-1960), was also a racing driver, competing in endurance events like the inaugural 1923 running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.[2]
In practice for the 1953 Modena Grand Prix, de Tornaco rolled his car and suffered serious head and neck injuries. There were no adequate medical facilities present, and he died on his way to hospital in a private saloon car.[3][4]
Complete Formula One World Championship results
(key)
Non-Championship Formula One results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Charles de Tornaco | Talbot-Lago T26C | Talbot-Lago Straight-6 | RIO | SYR | VAL NC |
RIC | LAV | PAU | IBS | MAR | AST | INT | ELÄ | NAP | EIF | PAR | ALB | ||||||||||||||||||||
| HWM 52 | Alta 2.0 L4 | FRO 5 |
ULS | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ferrari 500 | Ferrari 500 2.0 L4 | MNZ Ret |
LAC | ESS | 'MAR | SAB | CAE | DMT | COM | NAT | BAU | MOD | CAD Ret |
SKA | MAD | AVU | JOE | NEW | RIO | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1953 | Ecurie Francorchamps | Ferrari 500 | Ferrari 500 2.0 L4 | SYR NC |
PAU | LAV | AST | BOR | INT | ELÄ | NAP | ULS | WIN | FRO | COR | EIF | ALB Ret |
PRI | ESS | MID | ROU | CRY | AVU | USF | LAC | BRI | CHE | SAB | NEW | CAD 5 |
RED | SKA | LON | MOD DNS† |
MAD | JOE | CUR | |
