Henri Louveau

Henri Louveau (25 January 1910 - 7 January 1991): Henri Louveau was a French racing driver from the wealthy Paris suburb of Suresnes whose motorsport career began unusually in cycling before transitioning to automobiles. This diverse sporting background gave him the endurance and fitness that would serve him well in long-distance racing events. Louveau began competing in motorsport in the late 1930s, participating in demanding events such as the Liege-Rome-Liege race and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. His career was interrupted by World War II, during which he served in the French Army and was deployed to Africa, experiencing the hardships of wartime military service before returning to racing after the liberation.

Post-war, Louveau quickly re-established himself in endurance racing. In 1949, he achieved second place at the 24 Hours of Le Mans competing with a Delage D6S, demonstrating his skill in one of motorsport's most challenging events. His Formula One World Championship career consisted of two starts in 1950 and 1951, both driving Talbot-Lago cars for Ecurie Rosier, the team run by his compatriot Louis Rosier. He participated in the 1950 Italian Grand Prix and the 1951 Swiss Grand Prix, though he failed to finish either race and scored no championship points.

Throughout the 1950s, Ecurie Rosier provided Formula One drives not only to Louveau but also to other French drivers including Georges Grignard, Louis Chiron, Maurice Trintignant, André Simon, and Robert Manzon, making it an important team for French motorsport. Louveau's racing career came to an abrupt end following a serious crash at the 1951 Swiss Grand Prix. The accident resulted in injuries significant enough that Louveau decided to retire from competitive racing immediately, prioritizing his health and safety over continuing in the dangerous sport. Following his retirement from racing, Louveau transitioned into the automotive business, becoming a car salesman in Paris.

This career allowed him to remain connected to the automotive world while avoiding the risks of competition. Henri Louveau passed away on 7 January 1991, coincidentally on his 81st birthday, in Suresnes, the same wealthy suburb where he had been born eight decades earlier. He left behind a legacy as a capable endurance racer whose career exemplified both the risks and rewards of 1950s motorsport.