Roger Laurent

Roger Laurent (21 February 1913 - 6 February 1997): Belgian racing driver and five-time Belgian motorcycle champion who competed in two Formula One World Championship Grands Prix in 1952, transitioning from two wheels to four wheels during the early years of the World Championship. Born in Belgium, Laurent first made his name as a motorcycle racer, dominating Belgian motorcycle racing in the late 1930s and winning the Belgian motorcycle championship on five occasions. He won both the 1937 250cc and 1938 350cc French motorcycle Grand Prix races, establishing himself as one of Europe's leading motorcycle racers of the pre-war era. After World War II, Laurent transitioned to automobile racing, initially competing in sports cars before attempting Formula One.

For 1952, he became associated with Ecurie Francorchamps, a Belgian racing team that ran yellow Ferraris and HWM cars in various events. Laurent made his Formula One debut at the 1952 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps on 22 June 1952. Because the Ecurie Francorchamps Ferrari was assigned to Charles de Tornaco, Laurent drove as a guest driver for HWM (Hersham and Walton Motors), a British Formula Two constructor. He completed the race but finished well down the order, failing to score championship points.

At the 1952 German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring, it was Laurent's turn to drive the Ecurie Francorchamps Ferrari 500 (Tipo 500). He finished in a respectable sixth place, demonstrating that with competitive machinery he could run in the points-paying positions. This was his best Formula One result. After 1952, Laurent did not return to Formula One World Championship racing but continued competing in sports cars through the mid-1950s.

He raced Jaguars in endurance events, finishing fourth at the 1956 24 Hours of Le Mans in a Jaguar D-Type before retiring from active competition at the end of that year. Laurent died on 6 February 1997 at age 83. He represents the generation of pre-war motorcycle champions who successfully transitioned to automobile racing after World War II, bringing exceptional machine control and bravery from their two-wheeled careers. His five Belgian motorcycle championships and his creditable Formula One performances demonstrated versatility across different forms of motorsport.

Known for: Winning the Belgian motorcycle championship five times, winning the 1937 250cc and 1938 350cc French motorcycle Grands Prix, finishing sixth at the 1952 German Grand Prix driving a Ferrari, and finishing fourth at Le Mans in 1956.