Arthur Legat may not be a household name in F1 History, but for Belgian fans of the early 20th century, he was a homegrown hero.
| Nationality | Belgian |
|---|---|
| Born | Arthur Legat 1 November 1898 Haine-Saint-Paul, Wallonia, Belgium |
| Died | 23 February 1960 (aged 61) Haine-Saint-Pierre, Wallonia, Belgium |
Born in 1898, Legat won the Grand Prix des Frontières in both 1931 and 1932, driving a Bugatti. On the tight, tree-lined roads of Chimay, where the margin for error was measured in inches, Legat delivered back-to-back masterclasses.
Despite racing during a period when World War II and economic hardship tested even the most committed drivers, Legat continued to compete with quiet determination. When Formula One’s World Championship began in 1950, he was already in his 50s—but that didn’t stop him. Legat made two World Championship starts, debuting at the 1952 Belgian Grand Prix, his home race. Though he didn’t score points, simply qualifying and racing in the new era at that age was an achievement in itself.
A devoted privateer, Legat lived the spirit of early motorsport—racing for passion, not podiums. He passed away in 1960, but remains a celebrated part of Belgium’s racing heritage.
Legat holds a notable record as the third oldest driver ever to start a Formula One race—at 54 years, 232 days old during the 1953 Belgian Grand Prix, where he sadly retired.
Formula One History Recommends
Arthur Legat Formula One World Championship career
| F1 Career | 1952–1953 |
|---|---|
| Teams | privateer Veritas |
| Entries | 2 |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 0 |
| Career points | 0 |
| Pole positions | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| First entry | 1952 Belgian Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 1953 Belgian Grand Prix |
