Fred Wacker

Frederick G. Wacker Jr. (10 July 1918 - 16 June 1998): American racing driver, engineer, prominent Chicago socialite, jazz musician, and former president of two large Chicago companies, representing the archetype of the gentleman racer. Participated in five Formula One World Championship Grands Prix in 1953 and 1954, debuting on 21 June 1953, scoring no championship points. Competed for the Gordini team in 1953 and 1954, representing one of the first American drivers to race regularly in the Formula One World Championship.

At the non-championship GP des Frontières at Chimay in 1953, achieved a stunning third-place finish driving a Gordini T16, finishing just 2.5 seconds behind winner Maurice Trintignant in a crash-ridden race. This podium represented the first victory for the T16 chassis and marked the first post-war Grand Prix podium finish for an American driver, a historic achievement. At the 1953 German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, survived a scary high-speed crash during practice but continued to race in wet conditions, finishing ninth and demonstrating remarkable courage.

Two weeks later at Spa-Francorchamps for the Belgian Grand Prix, finished 10th, completing another challenging European circuit. In practice for the 1953 Swiss Grand Prix at Bremgarten, flipped his Gordini on his in-lap and was transported to hospital with a fractured skull, broken ribs, and friction burns over much of his body, suffering severe injuries. Remarkably returned to racing in 1954, demonstrating the determination characteristic of his generation. At the 1954 Swiss Grand Prix, qualified the T16 but retired on lap 10 when the transmission broke.

At the 1954 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, drove an underpowered Gordini against cars specifically designed for the new 2.5-liter formula, but fought brilliantly to finish sixth against superior machinery. Served as President of the Sports Car Club of America from 1951 to 1953, contributing to the development of American sports car racing during its formative years. Was the second American to compete in the Formula One World Championship, following Harry Schell, pioneering American participation in grand prix racing.

As racing transitioned from a gentleman's occupation to a full-time professional pursuit during the mid-1950s, Wacker decided it was more important to maintain a steady job in the Chicago area, retiring from international competition. His family name lives on in Chicago through Wacker Drive, one of the city's major streets, named after his grandfather. Passed away on 16 June 1998 at age 79. Remembered as the quintessential gentleman racer who competed for the love of the sport rather than financial necessity, representing an era of motorsport that has vanished.