Born in Lodi, near Milan, on 4 June 1921, Ettore Muro Chimeri became one of the great pioneers of Venezuelan motorsport — an adventurous, charismatic racer whose passion for speed carried him from local events in Caracas to the world stage of Formula One. Although Italian by birth, Chimeri’s family later settled in Venezuela, the country he would proudly represent throughout his racing career and where he became a popular figure in the emerging South American racing scene.
Driver Bio
| Nationality | Venezuelan |
| Birthplace | Lodi, Italy |
| Born | 4 June 1921 |
| Died | 27 February 1960 |
| First Grand Prix | 1960 Argentine Grand Prix |
| Last Grand Prix | 1960 Argentine Grand Prix |
| Current/Last Team | Privateer: Maserati |
Chimeri first built his reputation as a successful gentleman driver in Venezuela, competing in local races. He regularly raced in the Venezuelan Grand Prix held on the dramatic Los Próceres street circuit in Caracas, where international stars mixed with ambitious local talent. His performances convinced him that he could compete beyond his home country, and he soon began pursuing an international racing career in both sports cars and single-seaters.
By the late 1950s, Chimeri was racing increasingly competitive machinery and establishing connections within the wider motorsport world. Among his prized possessions was a Maserati 250F — one of the most iconic Formula One cars ever built. Remarkably, the car had previously been raced by legends including Juan Manuel Fangio and Francisco Godia before eventually finding its way into Chimeri’s hands. Prepared in Venezuela, the famous Maserati became the machine with which he would make history.
First Venezuelan F1 Driver
On 7 February 1960, Chimeri became the first Venezuelan driver ever to compete in a Formula One World Championship Grand Prix when he entered the 1960 Argentine Grand Prix in Buenos Aires. Against experienced international opposition, he qualified an impressive 14th on the grid in his privately owned Maserati 250F. During the race, he battled bravely in the oppressive heat, but electrical problems eventually forced his retirement after 37 laps of the 95. Although he failed to score championship points, the appearance was a landmark moment for Venezuelan motorsport, and Chimeri hoped it would be the first of many Formula One starts.
Death
Tragically, his promising international career was cut heartbreakingly short just weeks later. While practising for the Gran Premio Libertad sports car race at Camp Freedom military airfield near Havana, Cuba, Chimeri crashed his Ferrari 250 TR through the barriers at high speed before plunging nearly 150 feet into a ravine. He was airlifted to the hospital but later died from his injuries on 27 February 1960, aged only 38.
Though his Formula One career lasted only a single Grand Prix, Ettore Chimeri remains a hugely significant figure in motorsport and F1 history as Venezuela’s first Formula One driver.
Complete Formula One World Championship results
| Year | Entrant | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | WDC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | Ettore Chimeri | Maserati 250F | Maserati Straight-6 | MON | 500 | NED | FRA | GBR | GER | POR | ITA | USA DNA | NC | 0 | |
| 1960 | Ettore Chimeri | Maserati 250F | Maserati Straight-6 | ARG Ret | MON | 500 | NED | BEL | FRA | GBR | POR | ITA | USA | NC | 0 |
