Ernő Festetics
| Ernő Festetics | |
|---|---|
| Born | Mária József Ernő Festetics von Tolna 15 October 1915 |
| Died | 1957 |
Count Mária József Ernő Festetics von Tolna (15 October 1915 – 1957) was a Hungarian aristocrat and Grand Prix racing driver.
Career
Festetics was from a notable Hungarian family, and his father Sándor Festetics had served as Minister of Defence. Festetics took part in a number of sports, and, thanks to an income from the family estate, he undertook started motor racing in the late 1930s; originally with a Ford, but in 1937 stepped up in quality by buying a 3 year old Maserati 8CM from Ecurie Braillard. Festetics painted the car in the Hungarian national colours of red, white, and green, and undertook a number of events in the 1937 Grand Prix season.[1] His entries included two national Grands Prix, finishing 10th at the 1937 German Grand Prix (aged just 21) and 8th at the 1937 Czech Grand Prix.[2] He also set Hungarian speed records in the car for the flying mile and kilometer.[3]
The car however was uncompetitive and in 1938 he bought a BMW 328 in order to take part in sportscar racing.[4][5] His only Grand Prix appearance of the year was a brief one, crashing in practice for the 1938 German Grand Prix driving an Alfa Romeo.[6]
Later life
Festetics left Hungary during the Second World War and died in 1957, aged 41.[7]
Complete European Championship results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | EDC | Pts | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1937 | private | Maserati 6CM | Maserati 1.5l inline-6 | BEL |
GER 10 |
MON | SUI | ITA | 20th= | 36 | ||
| 1938 | private | Alfa Romeo P3 | Alfa Romeo 3.8l inline-8 | FRA | GER DNS |
SUI | ITA | 36th= | 32 | |||
Source:[8] | ||||||||||||
References
- ↑ Brägger, Bernhard (2012). The Maserati 3015 – Complete History. Amriswil, Switzerland: Presko. p. 36.
- ↑ "Graf Maria Josef Ernst "Ernõ" Festetics von Tolna (H)". Golden Era of Grand Prix racing. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
- ↑ Ferrari, Eliseo (2001). Maserati Story: Il rilancio di un mito. Edizioni Il Fiorino.
- ↑ Negyesi, Pal. "A magyar Maserati hihetetlen sztorija". totalcar.hu. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ "Left Behind … The Story of Maserati 8CM #3015". CE Auto. Retrieved 21 July 2026.
- ↑ Etzrodt, Hans; Snellman, Leif. "Seaman's remarkable triumph". Golden Era.
- ↑ "Erno Festetics". Myheritage. Retrieved 14 June 2026.
- ↑ "Graf Maria Josef Ernst "Ernõ" Festetics von Tolna (H)". Golden Era of Grand Prix racing. Retrieved 21 July 2026.