Pierre Bouillin

Ultimately a tragic figure, 'Levegh' was given the name of his uncle, a racer in the early part of the century. From before the war, he became obsessed with the Le Mans 24-hour race, waiting patiently for an opportunity to take part in this classic and finally achieving his ambition as relief driver in the Talbot team in 1938. After the war he raced a Delage, taking second at Pau in 1947 before acquiring a Talbot in 1949, which he raced in Grands Prix in 1950 and '51.

He finished fourth at Le Mans in a works Talbot in 1951, but was dissatisfied with the car's performance, and resolved to return the following year in his own car, which was specially prepared at huge expense by 'Levegh' himself. His investment was very nearly rewarded when he drove the car single-handedly for more than 22 hours, only to lose a massive lead when he missed a gearchange and damaged the engine.

His dream of victory seemed over, but in 1955 Neubauer, remembering his exploits, offered him a drive in the works Mercedes. By some strange premonition, 'Levegh' had voiced his unease at the narrowness of the straight in front of the pits, and it was his misfortune to be involved in a collision at this point that catapulted his car into the crowd, killing the Frenchman and 80 others in the worst disaster in motor racing history.