Georges Berger

Georges Berger (14 September 1918 - 23 August 1967): Belgian racing driver who competed in Formula One in 1953 and 1954. Participated in two Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, debuting at the 1953 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps, his home race. At the 1953 Belgian GP, entered a privately-owned 1.5-liter 4-cylinder Gordini Type 15, qualifying for the race but retiring after only three laps with engine failure, a disappointing end to his Formula One debut.

Returned to Formula One at the 1954 French Grand Prix at Reims, entering a Gordini T16 under his own name. Qualified twentieth, starting on the ninth row of a ten-row grid, demonstrating the performance gap between privateer entries and works teams. Retired after covering just 46 miles due to engine problems, ending his second and final Formula One championship appearance. Scored no championship points during his brief F1 career.

Beyond Formula One, enjoyed success in sports car racing. Shared the winning Ferrari at the 1960 Tour de France Automobile, a prestigious endurance rally combining road sections and circuit racing that attracted Europe's best GT drivers. Continued competing in sports car racing throughout the 1960s with various marques. Tragically killed racing a Porsche 911 in the 1967 84-Hour Marathon de la Route at the Nürburgring on 23 August 1967 at age 48.

The Marathon de la Route was one of motorsport's most grueling endurance events, testing cars and drivers to their absolute limits on the demanding Nordschleife circuit. His death in this brutal race highlighted the extreme dangers of 1960s endurance racing, particularly at the notoriously treacherous Nürburgring. Though his Formula One career consisted of two retirements, Berger was part of the generation of Belgian privateer racers who competed across multiple disciplines during the 1950s and 1960s.