Paul Pietsch

Paul Pietsch (June 20, 1911 - May 31, 2012): Born in Freiburg, Germany, this remarkable racing driver, journalist, and publisher became the first Grand Prix driver to reach the extraordinary milestone of 100 years of age, outliving all his contemporaries from motorsport's early decades. Pietsch began his racing career in 1932 with a private Bugatti and Alfa Romeo, quickly establishing himself as a talented driver during the 1930s. His pre-war achievements included winning ice races in Sweden and finishing third in the prestigious 1935 Italian Grand Prix while racing for the legendary Auto Union team, competing against the dominant Silver Arrows era of German racing. He holds the distinction of being the first German driver ever to participate in a Formula One World Championship Grand Prix.

World War II interrupted his racing career, but Pietsch returned to competition in the post-war era. Between 1950 and 1952, he participated in three Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, driving for both Alfa Romeo and Maserati, though he was unable to score championship points during this period. While his Formula One results were modest, Pietsch's impact on motorsport extended far beyond his driving career. He transitioned into journalism and publishing, founding the magazine Das Auto and later establishing Auto Motor und Sport, which grew to become one of the largest and most influential automotive publications in Germany.

His publishing empire demonstrated the same determination and vision that had characterized his racing career. Pietsch celebrated his 100th birthday on June 20, 2011, making him the oldest living Grand Prix driver in the world at that time. He remained active and engaged with the automotive world well into his centenary year. Just eleven days short of his 101st birthday, Pietsch passed away from pneumonia on May 31, 2012, closing a remarkable life that spanned from the dawn of Grand Prix racing through to the modern Formula One era.