Charles Pozzi

Charles Pozzi (August 27, 1909 - February 28, 2001): A French racing driver and automotive entrepreneur whose influence on motorsport extended far beyond his brief Formula One career. Born Carlo Alberto Pozzi in Paris to Italian parents, he adopted the French version of his name, Charles. Working as an automobile broker, Pozzi didn't begin his racing career until the relatively late age of 37. Despite this late start, he quickly found success in sports car racing.

In 1948, he won the Grand Prix du Comminges, a race that doubled as the French Grand Prix that year. The following year in 1949, he won the Comminges sports car Grand Prix at Saint-Gaudens driving a Delahaye 145. He participated in one Formula One World Championship race during F1's inaugural season in 1950, finishing sixth at the French Grand Prix driving a Talbot-Lago. He also placed second at the Grand Prix de Rouen that same year.

His competition success continued into the 1950s with victory at the Casablanca 12 Hours in 1952 and a two-litre class win at the 12 Hours of Hyeres in 1953. After retiring from racing, Pozzi's greatest legacy came through his business ventures. He founded Charles Pozzi S.A., which became the official and exclusive Ferrari and Maserati importer for France around 1968-1969. His Ferrari dealership became legendary in France, and his name appeared on countless racing cars over the decades.

The iconic Ferrari dark blue paint color 'Blu Pozzi' was named in his honor, ensuring his name would be forever associated with the Prancing Horse. In 2003, two years after Pozzi's death at age 91, Ferrari acquired his company. His dual legacy as both a successful racer and the man who brought Ferrari to France remains unmatched.