Harry Schell

Henry O'Reilly "Harry" Schell (29 June 1921 - 13 May 1960) was an American racing driver who competed in Formula One from 1950 to 1960 and became America's first Formula One Grand Prix driver while enjoying a colorful, tragic career marked by both achievement and heartbreak. Born in Paris to American parents, Schell was the son of Laury Schell, a prominent racing driver, and Lucy O'Reilly Schell, an American heiress who later became a successful racing team owner. His upbringing in Europe's motorsport culture shaped his career and cosmopolitan outlook. Tragedy struck the Schell family just before World War II when his parents were involved in a road accident that killed his father Laury and severely injured his mother Lucy, a traumatic event that profoundly affected young Harry.

Before this tragedy, Schell had volunteered in the Finnish Air Force during the Winter War with the Soviet Union in 1939, demonstrating his adventurous spirit and willingness to fight for causes he believed in. He later earned a commission in the U.S. Tank Corps during World War II, serving with distinction. With his Formula One debut at the 1950 Monaco Grand Prix, Schell became the first American driver to start a Formula One Grand Prix, a historic distinction that marked the beginning of American participation in the World Championship.

He participated in 57 Formula One Grands Prix between 1950 and 1960, competing for various teams including his mother's Ecurie Bleue team, BRM, Vanwall, Maserati, and Ferrari. His most notable Formula One spells came with BRM, Vanwall, and the Maserati factory effort, where he was teammate to five-time World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio, an honor that demonstrated the respect Schell commanded despite never winning a championship race. He also drove for Scuderia Ferrari for two races in 1955, including the Monaco Grand Prix. Though Schell never won a World Championship Grand Prix, he twice stood on the podium, with his best result being second place at the 1958 Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort.

In 57 races, he achieved two podiums and scored 32 championship points, statistics that don't fully capture his speed and competitiveness. Contemporaries recognized Schell as a genuinely quick driver who deserved better fortune and opportunities. Beyond racing results, Schell carved out a reputation as a consistent points scorer and safe, prudent competitor who could be relied upon to bring the car home. When given competitive machinery, he proved his class and demonstrated that he belonged among Formula One's elite drivers.

His flamboyant personality and playboy lifestyle made him a favorite with media and fans, though some critics suggested his off-track activities sometimes distracted from his racing. Notably, Schell was extremely vocal in promoting the roll bar on European racing cars, a safety feature that was required in American racing but not yet standard in Formula One. He campaigned tirelessly for improved safety measures, recognizing the sport's dangers from personal experience. By the 1961 season (1500cc formula), roll bars had become standard in Formula One, partly due to Schell's advocacy, a legacy that has saved countless lives.

Tragically, Harry Schell died during practice for the non-championship International Trophy at Silverstone on 13 May 1960 when his Cooper shed a wheel at Abbey Curve, causing him to crash into the bank at approximately 100 mph. He was killed instantly at age 38, becoming another victim of motorsport's dangerous era. His death, coming just days before his 39th birthday, robbed American motorsport of its first Formula One star and silenced one of the sport's most colorful personalities. Harry Schell is remembered as America's Formula One pioneer, a driver who paved the way for future American participation in the World Championship and whose advocacy for safety improvements contributed to making the sport safer for those who followed.