Toni Branca Explained

Toni Branca
Nationality: Swiss
Birth Date:15 September 1916
Birth Place:Sion, Valais, Switzerland
Death Place:Sierre, Valais, Switzerland
Years:
Team(S):non-works Maserati
Races:3
Championships:0
Wins:0
Podiums:0
Points:0
Poles:0
Fastest Laps:0
First Race:1950 Swiss Grand Prix
Last Race:1951 German Grand Prix

Antonio Branca (15 September 1916, Sion, Switzerland – 10 May 1985, Sierre, Switzerland) was a Formula One racing car driver from Switzerland who competed in three World Championship races. His motor racing career was allegedly financed by an admiring Belgian countess, the Vicomtesse de Walkiers.[1] [2] Branca mainly competed in privately owned Maserati 4CLT, in Formula One and Two races.

Branca made his Formula One debut at the 1950 Swiss Grand Prix, finishing 11th, and briefly led the non-championship Formula One race in Circuit des Nations at Geneva in a Simca-Gordini.[3] He scored a number of top-six placings in other minor races, his best finish being fourth at a Formula Two race at the Aix les Bains Circuit du Lac,[4] before entering the and finishing in 10th place. Branca continued to race in 1951, retiring from the Formula One and finishing sixth in the non-championship Pescara Grand Prix,[5] but finished competing in Grand Prix racing at the end of the year.

Branca competed at a lower level until the mid-1950s, racing in hillclimbs and competed twice in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. Racing with a Moretti 750cc, in 1955 the car was not ready and did not get to the starting line in time, and in 1956 the car broke down before his turn to drive.

Complete Formula One World Championship results

(key)

YearEntrantChassisEngine12345678WDCPoints
1950Scuderia Achille VarziMaserati 4CLTMaserati Straight-4GBRMON500SUI
NC0
Antonio BrancaBEL
FRAITA
1951Antonio BrancaMaserati 4CLT/48Maserati Straight-4SUI500BELFRAGBRGER
ITAESP
DNA
NC0

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Jenkins. Richard. Where are they now: Toni Branca. Old Racing Cars. 19 February 2012.
  2. Web site: Toni Branca profile. ESPN F1. ESPN. 19 February 2012.
  3. Web site: Antonio Branca profile. Grandprix.com. Inside F1. 19 February 2012.
  4. Web site: II Circuit du Lac 1950. Formula2.net. 19 February 2012.
  5. Web site: 1951 Pescara Circuit - Classification. Chicane F1. 19 February 2012.