Autograph of a Prince

Amongst the drivers registered for the first ever Grand Prix of the Formula 1 World Championship, on the 13th of May 1950 at Silverstone, was Prince Bira (his real name being Birabongse Bhanutej Bhanubandh), member of the Thai royal family: at the wheel of his Maserati 4CLT, he had to retire on lap 49 with fuel injection problems.

A very capable driver before the war, he then participated in about 20 Grand Prix in the 50’s, with a 4th place at Monaco and a fifth in Switzerland in 1950. He was then seen driving a Simca Gordini, a Connaught and a Maserati 250F for his last race in 1954, where he finished in a fine fourth position at the French Grand Prix at Reims.