Alfred Lazarus Fingleston, better known to the racing world as Les Leston or Leslie Leston, was a British racing driver, entrepreneur and broadcaster whose influence reached far beyond the cockpit. Fast, stylish and commercially sharp, Leston became one of the most recognisable personalities of post-war British motorsport.
Driver Bio
| Nationality | British |
| Birthplace | Bulwell, England, UK |
| Born | 16 December 1920 |
| Died | 13 May 2012 |
| First Grand Prix | 1956 Italian Grand Prix |
| Last Grand Prix | 1957 British Grand Prix |
| Years Active | 1956–1957 |
| Current/Last Team | BRM |
He was born in Bulwell, the second son of Harry Fingleston, a coal factor, and his wife Kate (“Kitty”). His elder brother, Dennis Leston, would become a noted scientist.
Before racing took over, Leston was already living a lively double life. He was a talented drummer with the jazz band The Clay Pigeons, showing the showman’s flair that later suited paddock life perfectly.
During the Second World War, he served as a mid-upper gunner in an Avro Lancaster—a dangerous wartime role that demanded nerve, discipline and quick reactions.
After the war, he and his father built a successful aeronautical accessories business called Aero Spares, supplying components and technical equipment. It was the first sign that Leston’s business instincts were every bit as strong as his driving talent.
Racing career
Early competition years
Leston began racing in a Jaguar SS100 before moving into lightweight single-seaters with a 500cc Cooper 500 and his own Leston Special.
He quickly built a reputation for speed and determination. In 1952, he won the Luxembourg Grand Prix in a field that included future stars Stirling Moss and Peter Collins. That result announced him as a serious talent.
Cooper works driver and Formula Three champion
By 1954, Leston had become a works driver for Cooper Car Company. That same year he captured the British Formula Three Championship, confirming his place among Britain’s best domestic racers.
This was a golden period for British motorsport, and Leston was right in the middle of it.
Formula One
Leston competed in three Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, making his debut on 2 September 1956. He scored no championship points, but participation alone placed him among the elite in an era when Grand Prix racing was brutally competitive and deeply dangerous.
Like many talented drivers of the time, his strongest results often came outside the World Championship in national and international events where privateers and specialists could shine.
Le Mans and endurance racing
Leston also tackled the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1955, 1957 and 1960. He failed to finish the first two attempts and was unclassified in 1960, but returned in 1961 to record his best result: 11th overall in a Triumph TR4S.
He was due to race in the 1962 edition for Colin Chapman in a Lotus 23 alongside Tony Shelly, but the entry was rejected during the famous Lotus–Le Mans controversy.
Saloon cars and GT success
From 1958 to 1960, Leston enjoyed major success in touring cars, racing a Riley 1.5 to British Saloon Car Championship Class B honours. He also used the car in the Monte Carlo Rally and even as everyday transport.
Perhaps most famously, he raced the celebrated DADIO, a Lotus Elite. His battles with Graham Warner’s LOV1 became part of British club-racing folklore. In the Lotus Elite, Leston went on to become British GT Champion and added numerous race victories.
Life outside racing
Business pioneer
After surviving a fiery crash at Caen in 1958—escaping from his seized Formula Two Lotus at around 90 mph—Leston increasingly focused on business.
He founded Les Leston Accessories, a company that became hugely influential in Britain’s aftermarket motoring scene. Steering wheels, gear levers, trim items and performance accessories carrying his name became highly desirable products.
Many regard him as the godfather of the motoring aftermarket, spotting demand before most competitors even knew it existed.
Safety innovator
The Caen accident also inspired another important contribution. After suffering burns, Leston began marketing flameproof racing overalls at a time when many drivers still raced in short-sleeved shirts.
Because of his standing in motorsport, top names quickly adopted them. Drivers such as Graham Hill appeared in advertisements wearing Leston gear, helping modern racing safety standards take hold.
Broadcaster and later years
In the late 1960s, Leston became a Formula One pit reporter for the BBC, bringing insider knowledge and natural charisma to television audiences.
Later, he moved to Hong Kong, where he expanded his merchandising interests, enjoyed boating, hosted a jazz radio show, and remained every inch the stylish enthusiast. He was also known for riding a 1,200cc BMW motorcycle.
Legacy
Les Leston was much more than a racing driver. He was a champion, entrepreneur, safety pioneer, broadcaster and character.
He helped shape post-war British motorsport not only through results on track, but through the products drivers used, the clothes they wore, and the image of racing itself.
Few people have blended speed, business and personality quite so successfully.
Grand Prix Stats
| Race Entries | 3 |
| Race Starts | 2 |
| Did Not Start | 0 |
| Best Race Start | 12th |
| Best Race Finish | – |
| Retirements | 2 |
| First-Lap Retirements | 0 |
| Not Classified | 0 |
| Disqualified | 0 |
| Did Not Qualify | 1 |
Qualifying
| Qualifying Sessions | 3 |
| Reached Q3 | 0 |
| Q2 Eliminations | 0 |
| Q1 Eliminations | 0 |
| Did Not Qualify | 1 |
Stats by Season
| Year | Constructor | Entries | Starts | Wins | Podiums | Poles | Fastest Laps | Front Rows | DNF | Best Start | Best Result | Pts Finishes | Points | Championship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | Connaught | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 19 | – | 0 | 0 | NC |
| 1957 | Cooper / BRM | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 12 | – | 0 | 0 | NC |
Stats by Constructor
| Constructor | Years | Entries | Starts | Wins | Podiums | Poles | Fastest Laps | Front Rows | DNF | Best Start | Best Result | Pts Finishes | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connaught | 1956 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 19 | – | 0 | 0 |
| Cooper | 1957 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 |
| BRM | 1957 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 12 | – | 0 | 0 |
Teammates & Qualifying Head-to-Head
| Teammate | Years | Races | Qualifying H2H |
|---|---|---|---|
| Archie Scott-Brown | 1956 | 1 | – |
| Ron Flockhart | 1956 | 1 | – |
| Jack Fairman | 1956, 1957 | 2 | – |
| Jack Brabham | 1957 | 1 | – |
