Ernst Loof

Ernst Loof (4 July 1907 - 3 March 1956): German automotive engineer and racing driver from Neindorf near Oschersleben who contributed to the design of the legendary BMW 328 sports car in the late 1930s. Co-founded Veritas in 1947 alongside Georg Meier and Lorenz Dietrich, one of Germany's first post-war racing car manufacturers attempting to rebuild the country's motorsport industry. Designed the Veritas Meteor Formula Two racer in 1949, which achieved success in the immediate post-war period when Germany was re-establishing its presence in international motorsport. Veritas competed successfully in Formula Two with the Meteor, demonstrating that German engineering expertise had survived the war years.

Participated in one Formula One World Championship Grand Prix, the 1953 German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring on 2 August 1953, driving a Veritas of his own design. Unfortunately, Loof's Formula One career was remarkably and historically brief: he retired with fuel pump failure after covering approximately two metres of racing, which remains the record for the shortest Formula One career in championship history—a distinction that has endured for over 70 years. The Veritas project encountered financial difficulties in the early 1950s after unsuccessful attempts to sell both Opel-engined and Ford-engined Veritas models to privateer customers. The company declared bankruptcy in 1952, ending Loof's dream of establishing a sustainable German racing car manufacturer.

Veritas' assets were acquired by BMW in 1953, bringing Loof's creations back under the umbrella of his former employer. Worked for BMW from 1953 until his death, contributing his engineering expertise to the company's post-war revival. Tragically died from a brain tumor on 3 March 1956 at age 48, robbing German motorsport of one of its pioneering post-war figures. Though his Formula One career lasted mere moments, Loof's contributions to German motorsport through his work on the BMW 328 and the Veritas racing cars remain significant.

Remembered as an important figure in Germany's motorsport reconstruction following World War II.