Robert O'Brien

Robert Joseph O'Brien (11 April 1908 - 10 February 1987): American racing driver who competed in one Formula One World Championship Grand Prix, the 1952 Belgian Grand Prix, amid unsubstantiated rumors of CIA involvement that added intrigue to his brief motorsport career. Born in the United States, O'Brien raced primarily in American sports car events during the early 1950s, achieving his best result with a fourth-place finish at the 1952 12 Hours of Sebring co-driving a Ferrari 166 MM with Richard Cicurel. This respectable endurance racing performance demonstrated genuine driving ability. O'Brien traveled to Europe for the 1952 Belgian Grand Prix at the legendary Spa-Francorchamps circuit without a car secured.

He convinced Belgian racing team owner Johnny Claes, who ran Ecurie Belge Racing Team, to provide him with one of the team's Simca-Gordini T15 chassis for the race. At Spa, O'Brien qualified slowest of the 22 entrants, 1 minute and 23 seconds behind pole-sitter Alberto Ascari's Ferrari—a massive gap illustrating the Simca-Gordini's lack of competitiveness. During the race on 22 June 1952, O'Brien circulated at the back of the field throughout, finishing 14th of the 15 classified finishers and never threatening to score championship points. His performance was unremarkable, though simply finishing a race at the notoriously difficult and dangerous Spa circuit demonstrated a degree of competence and bravery.

O'Brien never returned to Formula One after this single appearance, returning to the United States to continue occasional sports car racing. Mysteriously, obscure rumors emerged suggesting O'Brien was involved with the CIA and was working as a spy during his time in Europe, though these claims remain entirely unsubstantiated and no credible evidence has ever surfaced to support them. The rumors may have originated from the unusual circumstances of an American driver appearing at a European Grand Prix without prior arrangements, though this was not particularly unusual in the freewheeling early 1950s. O'Brien died on 10 February 1987 at age 78.

He represents the adventurous American amateur racers who occasionally appeared at European Grands Prix during Formula One's early years, often with limited preparation and uncompetitive equipment, racing for the experience rather than realistic championship aspirations. Known for: Competing in the 1952 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps driving a Simca-Gordini, qualifying slowest of 22 entrants, finishing 14th in his only World Championship race, and unsubstantiated rumors of CIA involvement.