Racing driver. Maurice Trintignant born in Sainte Cecile-les-Vignes, Vaulcluse, France, the youngest of five brothers. When his older brother Louis was killed in a motor race in Peronne, the family sold the Bugatti but Maurice was to buy it back and begin racing himself. Just as he began to win races, the War put an end to racing. When he re-started, Trintignant turned up at the Bois de Boulogne with his Bugatti, but his car suffered from fuel starvation, caused by rat droppings in the fuel tank. This earned him the affectionate nickname 'Le Petoulet'. By 1947 he had joined the Simca Gordini team , but in the 1948 season after wins at Perpignan and Montlhery, he was seriously injured in the tragic Swiss GP when three drivers were killed. In hopital he lay in a coma for eight days and was even pronounced dead but his pulse returned and he bagan a slow recovery. He returned to motor racing and began winning again. By 1954 he was driving for Ferrari winning the Le Mans 24hr race. Whilst ge gained frequent wins in sportscars, his F1 career was less successful. Driving for Rob Walker's private team and Vanwall, he racked up two Grand Prix wins. He carried on racing until his 47th year and was by that time a French National Hero. When he did retire, he returned to his beloved vineyards and his red and rose wine which he also nicknames 'Le Petoulet'. He became Mayor of his town of Vergeze and was finally to pass away at the age of 87yrs.
Racing driver. Maurice Trintignant born in Sainte Cecile-les-Vignes, Vaulcluse, France, the youngest of five brothers. When his older brother Louis was killed in a motor race in Peronne, the family sold the Bugatti but Maurice was to buy it back and begin racing himself. Just as he began to win races, the War put an end to racing. When he re-started, Trintignant turned up at the Bois de Boulogne with his Bugatti, but his car suffered from fuel starvation, caused by rat droppings in the fuel tank. This earned him the affectionate nickname 'Le Petoulet'. By 1947 he had joined the Simca Gordini team , but in the 1948 season after wins at Perpignan and Montlhery, he was seriously injured in the tragic Swiss GP when three drivers were killed. In hopital he lay in a coma for eight days and was even pronounced dead but his pulse returned and he bagan a slow recovery. He returned to motor racing and began winning again. By 1954 he was driving for Ferrari winning the Le Mans 24hr race. Whilst ge gained frequent wins in sportscars, his F1 career was less successful. Driving for Rob Walker's private team and Vanwall, he racked up two Grand Prix wins. He carried on racing until his 47th year and was by that time a French National Hero. When he did retire, he returned to his beloved vineyards and his red and rose wine which he also nicknames 'Le Petoulet'. He became Mayor of his town of Vergeze and was finally to pass away at the age of 87yrs.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
