Jean Lucas

Jean Lucas (25 April 1917 - 27 September 2003): French racing driver who began competing immediately after World War II in local rallies. He also drove an Alfa Romeo 8C Monza in several national races in 1946 and by decade's end was driving Luigi Chinetti's Ferrari 166MM in endurance events. The highlight of his racing career came in 1949 when at Spa he and Luigi Chinetti were victorious in their Ferrari 166 MM, the major success of his career. That year would also see him win at Montlhéry.

He was based in Africa for a while and, like fellow GP racer André Guelfi, made a fortune from sardines in Morocco. In 1953 he joined Gordini as Team Manager which led to his contesting one Formula One World Championship Grand Prix on 11 September 1955. As manager of the Gordini team, when regular driver Robert Manzon was unable to race, Lucas stepped in to take his place, but his single F1 race ended prematurely with mechanical issues after seven laps, scoring no championship points. He finished third at the 1957 24 Hours of Le Mans sharing a Jaguar D-type with 'Mary' (Jean Brussin).

Unfortunately he crashed during the 1957 Moroccan GP—the car rolled and he was thrown from the cockpit into parked cars, breaking his arm. He did not race again but stayed involved with racing, creating the French monthly magazine Sport-Auto with famed journalist Jabby Crombac in 1962. He also served as a respected administrator in France and was a driver manager, managing Harry Schell and Jo Schlesser.