Franco Comotti

Franco Comotti (24 July 1906 - 10 May 1963): Gianfranco Franco Comotti was an Italian racing driver from Brescia who combined a successful career in the petroleum business with his passion for motorsport, competing across three decades from the 1920s through the 1950s. Born in Brescia but raised in Bergamo, Comotti spent his entire life in the petroleum industry, working for BP in Africa and the Mediterranean in his later years. Comotti first appeared in motorsport at the 1928 Italian Grand Prix driving one of Scuderia Materassi's Talbots. After this race, he temporarily disappeared from racing, even withdrawing his entry for the 1929 Indianapolis 500.

He returned to competition in 1931, winning the cyclecar race at the Circuito di Alessandria in a Salmson. In 1932, Comotti brought an Alfa Romeo Monza sports car to Scuderia Ferrari in Modena for servicing, which led to him becoming an official driver for the legendary team. His time with Ferrari proved successful, culminating in his victory at the 1934 Grand Prix du Comminges, a significant achievement in the pre-war racing era. In 1937, Comotti moved to France to work as a test and reserve driver for the Talbot team, beginning a long association with the French manufacturer.

After World War II, he resumed his involvement with Talbot, testing the new Talbot-Lago T26C and using it for privateer entries beginning in 1948. Comotti's Formula One World Championship career consisted of two starts. In 1950, he made his championship debut at the Italian Grand Prix driving for Scuderia Milano as a test driver, though he failed to score points. His second and final World Championship appearance came at the 1952 French Grand Prix, where he drove a Ferrari for Scuderia Marzotto, again without scoring.

Comotti also participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1938, though he retired early from the race. Franco Comotti passed away on 10 May 1963 at the age of 56, leaving behind memories of a career that spanned motorsport's evolution from the pre-war Alfa Romeo and Talbot era through to the early years of the World Championship, all while maintaining his successful career in the petroleum industry.