Driver-journalist

In the 50’s, the Belgian racing driver Paul Frère presented himself as a brilliant gentleman driver as well as a talented journalist. A fine technician, he was highly rated by the constructors and Enzo Ferrari took him regularly in the Scuderia for the endurance races: he thus won the 1960 Le Mans 24 Hours in a works 250 TR, with his compatriot Olivier Gendebien.

In 1955, the Commendatore gave him for the first time a F1 to drive, the 555 in which he finished eighth in Monaco, a car he  shared with the experienced Piero Taruffi during the Grand Prix, as was allowed at the time.

The following year, Ferrari called him again at the last minute, this time to replace Luigi Musso injured at the Nürburgring, for the 1956 Belgian Grand Prix. Paul Frère was present at Spa as a journalist. After a few laps in practice, with the purpose to write an article, he accepted to take the start and so get the starting money… before getting caught in the game and finishing second in the race behind the other Ferrari D50 (picture below) of his team mate Peter Collins!