Ferenc Szisz
Ferenc Szisz | |
|---|---|
| Born | Error: Invalid birth date for calculating age Szeghalom, Békés county, Austro-Hungarian Empire |
| Died | 21 February 1944 (aged 70) Auffargis, France |
| Occupation(s) | Motorsport competitor, engineer |
| Known for | Winning the inaugural Grand Prix race in 1906 |
Ferenc Szisz (born September 20, 1873 – died February 21, 1944) was a Hungarian motorsport competitor notable for winning the inaugural Grand Prix race on June 26, 1906, behind the wheel of a Renault AK 90CV.
Early life
Szisz entered the world in Szeghalom, located in Békés county within the Hungarian region of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Initially trained as a locksmith and coppersmith, he developed a keen interest in automobiles during his early twenties, subsequently pursuing studies in engineering and automotive design. After gaining experience in various Austrian and German cities, Szisz joined the Renault firm in Paris in 1900.
Grand Prix career
At Renault, Szisz’s engineering skills positioned him as a vital figure within the testing division. When Renault began participating in motorsport competitions in 1902, he served as the riding mechanic to Louis Renault. Following the tragic death of Marcel Renault during the 1903 Paris-Madrid race, Szisz transitioned to driving duties. In 1905, he achieved fifth place in the Gordon Bennett Cup elimination round held at Clermont-Ferrand. Later that year, in October, Szisz competed with other French and Italian manufacturers in the Vanderbilt Cup on Long Island, New York, finishing fifth behind victor Victor Hémery.
Despite his responsibilities as chief of testing limiting his racing appearances, Szisz secured a historic triumph by winning the first-ever Grand Prix at Le Mans, accompanied by riding mechanic M. Marteau and driving a Renault AK 90CV. His average speed was . This achievement and the event’s commercial success encouraged other European nations to establish similar Grand Prix competitions. In 1907, Italy’s Felice Nazzaro, who had been runner-up to Szisz previously, claimed victory at the second French Grand Prix. Szisz returned to compete in 1908 but retired from the race and also withdrew due to mechanical failures at an American Grand Prize event held in Savannah, Georgia.
In early 1909, Szisz departed from Renault and launched his own garage business in Neuilly-sur-Seine. He was coaxed out of retirement by Fernand Charron in July 1914 to pilot an Alda vehicle at the French Grand Prix hosted in Lyon. Although assigned car number 1 as an honor, Szisz withdrew mid-race due to injury; that year’s race was won by Christian Lautenschlager driving a Mercedes.
World War I
The outbreak of World War I in September brought European motor racing to a halt. During the war, Szisz commanded transport troops stationed in French Algeria, until he was hospitalized with typhoid fever.
Later life
Following the conclusion of hostilities, Szisz found employment with an aircraft manufacturer before retiring to a rural home in Auffargis near Paris. He passed away there in 1944.
Ferenc Szisz and his spouse were laid to rest in Auffargis. The Szisz Museum forms part of the larger Renault Museum located close to the Le Mans racing circuit.
Complete Grand Prix results
| Year | Entrant | Pos |
|---|---|---|
| 1906 | Renault | FRA 1 |
| 1907 | Renault | FRA 2 |
| 1908 | Renault | FRA Ret |
| 1914 | Alda | FRA Ret |