George Abecassis
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| George Abecassis | |
| Formula One Career | |
| Nationality |  British |
|---|---|
| Active years | 1951 - 1952 |
| Team(s) | HWM |
| Grands Prix | 2 |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podium finishes | 0 |
| Pole positions | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| First Grand Prix | 1951 Swiss Grand Prix |
| Last Grand Prix | 1952 Swiss Grand Prix |
George Abecassis (born in Chertsey, Surrey, March 21, 1913 - died in Ibstone, Nr.High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, December 18, 1991) was an English Grand Prix racer and Formula One driver who participated during the 1951 and 1952 seasons at two Swiss Grand Prix in Bremgarten with HWM car.
He began racing in 1935 in a modified Austin Seven but really made a name for himself in English club racing during the 1938 and 1939 seasons with an Alta. In 1939 he won the Imperial Grand Prix, his only career victory. When war broke out he joined the Royal Air Force and became an experienced pilot, ultimately becoming a member of the secret "Moon Squadrons", ferrying secret agents in and out of France with Lysander aircraft.
After World War II he went back to racing initially with pre-war machinery but then became a partner with John Heath in Hersham and Walton Motors Ltd. He helped develop the Alta and raced several different cars, but it was the HWMs that he raced in his only two Formula One World Championship Grands Prix. He was more successful as a sports car driver with Aston Martin and won his class at 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1950, sharing with Lance Macklin. He also finished second in 12 Hours of Sebring in 1953, partnered by Reg Parnell.
In 1956 Heath was killed in an accident in the Mille Miglia and Abecassis retired from racing, turning his attention to running the HWM operations. He was also the Facel Vega importer for Britain, while his motor industry connections were aided by the fact that he was married to Angela, the daughter of Aston Martin chairman Sir David Brown. Later he opened a commercial activity in a grocery store. He died aged 78.
[edit] Complete Formula One World Championship results
(key)
| Yr | Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Team | WDC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | HWM | SWI Ret |
INDY |
BEL |
FRA |
GBR |
DEU |
ITA |
ESP |
HWM | - | 0 |
| 1952 | HWM | SWI Ret |
INDY |
BEL |
FRA |
GBR |
DEU |
DUT |
ITA |
HWM | - | 0 |
[edit] Non-World Championship Grand Prix career highlights
| Year | Grand Prix | Circuit | Car | Pos | Report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | Crystal Palace Grand Prix |
- | Alta 12/50 | 2nd | Report |
| 1938 | Imperial Grand Prix |
- | Alta 12/50 | 2nd | Report |
| 1939 | Imperial Grand Prix |
- | Alta 15/20 | 1st | Report |
| 1946 |  I Nations Grand Prix |
Geneve | Alta GP | Ret | Report |
| 1947 | I J.C.C. Jersey Road Street |
Helier | ERA A | Ret | Report |
| 1947 |  I Caracalla Grand Prix F2 |
Caracalla | Cisitalia-Fiat D46 | 2nd | Report |
| 1947 | IX British Empire Trophy |
Douglas | ERA A | Ret | Report |
| 1948 | II J.C.C. Jersey Road Street |
Helier | Maserati 6CM | 2nd | Report |
| 1948 | X British Empire Trophy |
Douglas | HWM-Alta GP | Ret | Report |
| 1949 | I Richmond Trophy |
Goodwood | HWM-Alta GP | 6th | Report |
| 1949 | II British Grand Prix |
Silverstone | HWM-Alta GP | 7th | Report |
| 1949 |  XXXVI French Grand Prix |
Reims | HWM-Alta GP | Ret | Report |
| 1949 |  II Zandvoort Grand Prix |
Zandvoort | HWM-Alta GP | Ret | Report |
| 1949 | II Madgwick Cup |
Goodwood | HWM-Alta GP | 5th | Report |
| 1949 | III C. Petite Cyl. |
Reims | Cooper-JAP | Ret | Report |
| 1950 | II Richmond Trophy |
Goodwood | HWM 50-Alta | 6th | Report |
| 1950 | IV Paris Grand Prix |
Montlhery | HWM 50-Alta | Ret | Report |
| 1950 | III Goodwood Trophy |
Goodwood | HWM 50-Alta | Ret | Report |
| 1951 | Gran Premio Centenario Colombia |
Genova | HWM 51-Alta | 5th | Report |
| 1951 | I Winfield Cup F2 |
Winfield | HWM 51-Alta | 2th | Report |
| 1952 | IV Goodwood Trophy |
Goodwood | HWM 51-Alta | 4th | Report |
| 1952 | IV Lavant Cup |
Goodwood | HWM 52-Alta | Ret | Report |
| 1952 | I Ibsley Race |
New Forest | HWM 52-Alta | 2nd | Report |
| 1952 | IV Daily Express Trophy |
Silverstone | HWM 52-Alta | DNQ | Report |
