Raymond Pierre Sommer (31 August 1906 – 10 September 1950) was a distinguished French racing driver renowned for his prowess in endurance racing during the pre- and post-World War II eras. Born in Mouzon, Ardennes, France, into a prosperous family—his father, Roger Sommer, was an aviation pioneer who set a record for the longest flight in 1909—Raymond initially worked in the family’s carpet manufacturing business before pursuing a career in motorsport. He made a remarkable entry into the racing world by winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1932, driving an Alfa Romeo 8C 2300 alongside Luigi Chinetti. Sommer repeated this feat in 1933 with co-driver Tazio Nuvolari, solidifying his reputation as a formidable endurance racer. 
Throughout the 1930s, Sommer was a dominant figure at Le Mans, often leading the race but frequently hampered by mechanical failures. His versatility extended beyond endurance events; he achieved significant success in Grand Prix racing, including a victory at the 1936 French Grand Prix, which that year was contested with sports cars. After World War II, Sommer continued racing and participated in the inaugural Formula One World Championship in 1950. Driving for both Ferrari and in privately entered Talbot-Lago cars, he competed in five World Championship Grands Prix, earning a fourth-place finish at the Monaco Grand Prix. Tragically, his career was cut short when he suffered a fatal accident on 10 September 1950 during the Haute-Garonne Grand Prix in Cadours, France, at the age of 44.