Fritz Riess

Friedrich 'Fritz' Riess (11 July 1922 - 15 May 1991): German racing driver from Nuremberg who competed in Formula One at the 1952 German Grand Prix and won the 1952 24 Hours of Le Mans. Participated in one Formula One World Championship Grand Prix on 3 August 1952 at the Nürburgring, finishing seventh without scoring championship points (only the top five finishers scored points in 1952). Took up racing after World War II, quickly establishing himself as a competitive driver in German motorsport despite beginning his career relatively late. Competed in various German national events driving an AFM (Alex von Falkenhausen Motorenbau) or a Veritas, both German manufacturers attempting to rebuild the country's racing industry in the post-war period.

Arrived at the 1952 German Grand Prix with a Veritas RS (likely a Veritas Meteor), a chassis several years old and completely outclassed compared to the dominant Ferrari 500s that had been purpose-built for the 2-liter Formula Two regulations governing Formula One at that time. Despite the Veritas' obsolescence, managed to qualify the car in 12th position on the fourth row, demonstrating exceptional driving skill to extract competitive lap times from outdated machinery. Finished the race in seventh place, completing the full distance and bringing the aging Veritas home reliably while more modern and powerful cars retired around him. Just three weeks after his Formula One appearance, achieved his greatest motorsport success by winning the 1952 24 Hours of Le Mans for Mercedes-Benz, sharing driving duties with Hermann Lang.

The Le Mans victory in a Mercedes-Benz 300 SL represented extraordinary achievement, winning the world's most prestigious endurance race in only its second year after World War II. His pairing with Lang, a pre-war Grand Prix champion and Mercedes legend, demonstrated Mercedes-Benz's confidence in Riess' abilities and consistency over the grueling 24-hour distance. The 300 SL victory proved instrumental in establishing the car's legendary reputation, as the road-going 300 SL 'Gullwing' would become one of the most desirable sports cars ever built. Continued racing in various European sports car events throughout the 1950s, though never returned to Formula One after his single 1952 appearance.

Passed away on 15 May 1991 in Samedan, Switzerland, at age 68. While his Formula One career consisted of a single seventh-place finish, Riess' 1952 Le Mans victory with Mercedes-Benz secured his place in motorsport history, representing Germany's post-war return to international racing competitiveness.