Few people in Ferrari history have lived two remarkable careers at the highest level. Paul Frère was not only a talented racing driver but also one of the most respected automotive journalists of the twentieth century. While many knew him through his books and magazine articles, Ferrari fans remember him for something even greater.
In 1960, alongside fellow Belgian Olivier Gendebien, he won the 24 Hours of Le Mans for Ferrari in the iconic Ferrari 250 TR59/60.
The making of Paul Frère
Born in Le Havre, France, on 30 January 1917, Frère grew up in Belgium where he studied engineering before becoming a journalist after the Second World War. His technical knowledge, combined with his natural ability behind the wheel, quickly made him unique in the motoring world. He was equally comfortable explaining how a racing car worked as he was driving one flat out around some of Europe's fastest circuits.
Photo: CAR Magazine
That rare combination earned him enormous respect throughout the paddock. Unlike most journalists, Frère was competing directly against the drivers he interviewed. His thoughtful writing and intelligent racecraft eventually opened the door to Ferrari, allowing him to become one of the few people in history to successfully combine professional journalism with works racing at the very highest level.
Joining the Ferrari team
Paul Frère began racing motorcycles before moving into sports cars and Formula 1 during the early 1950s. His victory at the 1952 Grand Prix des Frontières in Chimay showcased his speed and consistency, attracting the attention of major manufacturers. Before long, Ferrari recognised that Frère offered much more than technical knowledge: he possessed real pace.
Photo: CR Collectables
Driving for the Ferrari works team was an extraordinary achievement. Frère became teammates with some of the greatest names of the era, including Peter Collins and Phil Hill. In Formula 1 he competed in eleven World Championship Grands Prix and achieved a memorable podium finish at the 1956 Belgian Grand Prix, where he finished second only to Collins in a Ferrari.
Although Formula 1 brought recognition, endurance racing perfectly suited Frère's calm and calculated driving style. Long distance races rewarded intelligence, knowledge of machinery and consistency rather than outright aggression. These qualities made him an ideal Ferrari endurance driver and set the stage for the defining moment of his career at Le Mans.
Preparing for Le Mans
The 1960 24 Hours of Le Mans was one of Ferrari's most important races of the season. Porsche had become a serious challenger in the World Sportscar Championship and Ferrari needed victory to remain firmly in the championship battle. Maranello arrived exceptionally well prepared, fielding an impressive collection of factory and privateer entries.
Three of the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa cars that competed in the 1960 Le Mans 24 Hours with the modified nose compared to the launch version: behind the wheel Wolfgang Von Trips (number 9) followed by Richie Ginther (number 10), while number 17, with its Pininfarina-styled bodywork made by Fantuzzi, was the N.A.R.T car driven by Pedro Rodriguez.
Photo: Ferrari
Frère was paired with fellow Belgian Olivier Gendebien in a works Ferrari 250 TR59/60 Testa Rossa (chassis 0774TR). Gendebien was already recognised as one of endurance racing's finest drivers and Ferrari trusted the experienced Frère to complement his speed with reliability and flawless judgement. It proved to be one of the strongest driver pairings on the grid.
The competition was formidable: Maserati brought fast prototypes, Aston Martin fielded talented drivers including Jim Clark and Roy Salvadori and Jaguar remained a dangerous opponent. Even Chevrolet Corvette entered the battle in the GT category. Victory would demand both speed and survival over one of motorsport's toughest 24 hour contests.
Winning the world’s greatest race
The race began at a relentless pace with Maserati establishing an early lead before mechanical problems transformed the contest. As pit stops unfolded Ferrari encountered fuel consumption challenges caused by larger windscreens increasing aerodynamic drag, but Frère and Gendebien avoided disaster and steadily climbed into the lead.
Heavy rain then swept across the Circuit de la Sarthe, creating some of the most difficult driving conditions imaginable. Torrential downpours reduced visibility, standing water covered the circuit and several leading contenders crashed or suffered mechanical failures. Throughout the chaos, Frère delivered exactly what Ferrari needed. His smooth and disciplined driving protected the car while maintaining a relentless pace.
Photo: Ferrari
By Sunday morning, Ferrari controlled the race. Frère and Gendebien held a commanding advantage that continued to grow as rivals encountered gearbox failures, engine trouble and accidents. After 24 demanding hours they crossed the finish line four laps clear of the second placed Ferrari, averaging more than 170 km/h (106 mp/h) across an entire day of racing. Ferrari filled seven of the top eight positions, while the victorious Ferrari 250 TR59/60 became one of the defining endurance racing machines in the company's history.
Ferrari's quiet hero
For many drivers, a Le Mans victory would have been the pinnacle of an entire career. For Paul Frère, it also marked the perfect moment to step away from competitive racing. Following his triumph in 1960, he retired from professional competition at the age of 43 and returned full time to journalism.
Photo: AbeBooks
His influence, however, only continued to grow. As European editor for Road & Track magazine and author of numerous books, Frère became one of the world's leading authorities on performance cars. His 1963 book Sports Car and Competition Driving helped transform racing from an instinctive art into a discipline that could be studied and taught. Generations of drivers and instructors benefited from his clear explanations of driving technique.
Ferrari has produced countless legendary racers, but very few have also shaped how enthusiasts understand motorsport itself. Frère's technical insight, engineering background and ability to communicate complex ideas made him every bit as influential away from the circuit as he had been behind the wheel.
Paul Frère’s legacy
Although Ferrari fans rightly celebrate his Le Mans victory, Paul Frère's contribution to the automotive world reached far beyond Maranello. He became one of the foremost experts on the Porsche 911, maintained close relationships with manufacturers including Honda, Mazda and Porsche and regularly advised engineers developing future performance cars.
Remarkably, even into his eighties he continued testing the latest racing machinery. In 2003, aged 86, he drove the Audi R8 during the official Le Mans Test Day, becoming the oldest driver ever to pilot a contemporary prototype sports car. His enthusiasm for driving never disappeared.
Photo: Audi
Following his death in 2008, the Circuit de Spa Francorchamps permanently honoured his achievements by renaming Turn 15 as the Paul Frère Corner. It was a fitting tribute to a man who represented Belgian motorsport with distinction and whose reputation was admired throughout the international racing community.
For Ferrari supporters, however, his greatest achievement will always be the unforgettable 1960 victory at Le Mans. It remains one of the finest examples of intelligence, consistency and teamwork delivering success on endurance racing's biggest stage, securing Paul Frère's place forever in Ferrari's Hall of Fame.
Do you think his 1960 Le Mans victory makes him one of Ferrari's greatest endurance drivers?
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