László Hartmann
Encyclopedia
László Hartmann was a Hungarian Grand Prix motor racing
driver.
Despite showing little aptitude behind the wheel while training for his road licence, Hartmann went on to become one of Hungary's leading competition drivers of the pre-World War II
period. He began his racing career in the late 1920s, driving his own privately-entered Hupmobile
in local circuit and hillclimb
events. He soon graduated to a true racing car, buying a Bugatti Type 35
B from compatriot Count Tivadar Zichy in 1929. With this and another of his own Bugattis – a Type 37A sports car bought in 1930 – he began to enter more prestigious and challenging European events in addition to those in his home country. Hartmann regularly featured in the top five finishers at most European hillclimb events in the following few years, and in 1930 he took second place overall in the European Mountain Championship
series. His performances caught the Bugatti factory's eye and they occasionally lent him a more powerful Type 51
, with which he won the hillclimb events at Guggenberg in 1932 and 1933. In addition to racing against the clock Hartmann also participated in a number of Grand Prix circuit races during this period, never failing to finish in the top 10 when mechanical maladies or accidents didn't prevent him from finishing at all.
For 1935 Hartmann decided to switch his allegiance to the Italian manufacturer Maserati
and replaced his Bugattis with a Maserati 8CM, that he painted in the national red, white and green racing colours of Hungary. It was with this car that year that Hartmann recorded some of the best international circuit racing results of his career: third place in the Grand Prix du Comminges
, and fourth place in the Grand Prix des Frontières
. He retained the 8CM into 1936, but part way through 1937 he decided to upgrade to a Maserati 6C-34, direct from the Maserati factory and formerly driven by the Italian superstar Tazio Nuvolari
. Again he posted respectable top class results for a privateer
entrant, but by this time the German state-funded Silver Arrows
program was beginning to take a stranglehold on European racing leaving only the lower positions as realistic targets for individuals such as Hartmann. Away from the Grand Prix circus Hartmann continued to score well and occasionally win in the lesser voiturette
and hillclimb events. His successes even prompted the Maserati works team to offer him a few drives as a semi-works entry, earning a salary for his racing for the first time.
Hartmann's reputation was growing and his prospects were brightening, but sadly for him his first major race of the 1938 Grand Prix season
would prove to be his last. The 1938 Tripoli Grand Prix was unusual in that instead of running the Grand Prix cars and the slower voiturette cars in separate events the fields were combined into one race. There was much confusion at the start as some of the voiturette cars were moving before the flag fell, resulting in a mixed field of fast and slower cars on the approach to the fast first corner. This confusion continued throughout the race, with the speed differential between the two classes causing a number of accidents, including a fatal crash for Italian Alfa Romeo
works driver Eugenio Siena
. On Hartmann's 11th lap his Maserati 4CM voiturette was caught by the Grand Prix-class Alfa Romeo 312
of Giuseppe Farina
, well over a lap ahead already. As the Italian made to lap Hartmann for a second time their cars touched wheels, sending them both rolling off the race track. Both drivers were thrown from their vehicles, and although Farina escaped with only cuts and bruises Hartmann's spine was broken. He died during the early hours of the following morning, in hospital. After a short ceremony at the circuit Hartmann's body was flown back to Hungary, and he was buried in Budapest
's Rákoskeresztúr Cemetery.
Grand Prix motor racing
Grand Prix motor racing has its roots in organised automobile racing that began in France as far back as 1894. It quickly evolved from a simple road race from one town to the next, to endurance tests for car and driver...
driver.
Despite showing little aptitude behind the wheel while training for his road licence, Hartmann went on to become one of Hungary's leading competition drivers of the pre-World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
period. He began his racing career in the late 1920s, driving his own privately-entered Hupmobile
Hupmobile
The Hupmobile was an automobile built from 1909 through 1940 by the Hupp Motor Company, which was located at 345 Bellevue Avenue in Detroit, Michigan. Its first car, the Model 20, was introduced to the public at the Detroit Auto Show in February 1909...
in local circuit and hillclimb
Hillclimbing
Hillclimbing is a branch of motorsport in which drivers compete against the clock to complete an uphill course....
events. He soon graduated to a true racing car, buying a Bugatti Type 35
Bugatti Type 35
The Type 35 was the most successful of the Bugatti racing models. Its version of the Bugatti arch-shaped radiator that had evolved from the more architectural one of the Bugatti Type 13 Brescia, was to become the one that the marque is most known for though even in the ranks of the various Type 35s...
B from compatriot Count Tivadar Zichy in 1929. With this and another of his own Bugattis – a Type 37A sports car bought in 1930 – he began to enter more prestigious and challenging European events in addition to those in his home country. Hartmann regularly featured in the top five finishers at most European hillclimb events in the following few years, and in 1930 he took second place overall in the European Mountain Championship
European Hill Climb Championship
The European Hill Climb Championship is an FIA-run motorsport competition held across Europe on mountain roads.Unlike circuit racing, each driver competes alone, starting from a point at the base of a mountain and reaching a finish point near the summit...
series. His performances caught the Bugatti factory's eye and they occasionally lent him a more powerful Type 51
Bugatti Type 51
The Type 51 series succeeded the famous Type 35 as Bugatti's premier racing car for the 1930s. Unlike the dominant Type 35s of the prior decade, the Type 51 were unable to compete with the government-supported German and Italian offerings.-Type 51:The original Type 51 bowed in 1931...
, with which he won the hillclimb events at Guggenberg in 1932 and 1933. In addition to racing against the clock Hartmann also participated in a number of Grand Prix circuit races during this period, never failing to finish in the top 10 when mechanical maladies or accidents didn't prevent him from finishing at all.
For 1935 Hartmann decided to switch his allegiance to the Italian manufacturer Maserati
Maserati in motorsport
Throughout its history the Italian auto manufacturer Maserati has participated in various forms of motorsport including Formula One, sportscar racing and touring car racing, both as a works team and through private entrants.-Beginnings:...
and replaced his Bugattis with a Maserati 8CM, that he painted in the national red, white and green racing colours of Hungary. It was with this car that year that Hartmann recorded some of the best international circuit racing results of his career: third place in the Grand Prix du Comminges
Grand Prix du Comminges
The Grand Prix du Comminges was an automobile race held in France.The race was named after the Comminges, one of the former Provinces of France in ancient Gascony in what is now the Haute-Garonne department of the Midi-Pyrénées region of France...
, and fourth place in the Grand Prix des Frontières
Grand Prix des Frontières
The Grand Prix des Frontières was a motor race held at Chimay in Belgium. The race was created by Jules Buisseret, who was also responsible for the circuit's existence...
. He retained the 8CM into 1936, but part way through 1937 he decided to upgrade to a Maserati 6C-34, direct from the Maserati factory and formerly driven by the Italian superstar Tazio Nuvolari
Tazio Nuvolari
Tazio Giorgio Nuvolari was an Italian motorcycle and racecar driver, known as Il Mantovano Volante or Nivola. He was the 1932 European Champion in Grand Prix motor racing...
. Again he posted respectable top class results for a privateer
Privateer
A privateer is a private person or ship authorized by a government by letters of marque to attack foreign shipping during wartime. Privateering was a way of mobilizing armed ships and sailors without having to spend public money or commit naval officers...
entrant, but by this time the German state-funded Silver Arrows
Silver Arrows
Silver Arrows was the name given by the press to Germany's dominant Mercedes-Benz and Auto Union Grand Prix motor racing cars between 1934 and 1939, and also later applied to the Mercedes-Benz Formula One and sports cars in 1954/55.For decades until the introduction of sponsorship liveries, each...
program was beginning to take a stranglehold on European racing leaving only the lower positions as realistic targets for individuals such as Hartmann. Away from the Grand Prix circus Hartmann continued to score well and occasionally win in the lesser voiturette
Voiturette
Voiturette is a word mostly used to describe a miniature automobile; however, it has several nuanced meanings, depending largely on the usage date.-History:...
and hillclimb events. His successes even prompted the Maserati works team to offer him a few drives as a semi-works entry, earning a salary for his racing for the first time.
Hartmann's reputation was growing and his prospects were brightening, but sadly for him his first major race of the 1938 Grand Prix season
1938 Grand Prix season
The 1938 Grand Prix season was the sixth AIACR European Championship season. The championship was won by Rudolf Caracciola, driving for the Mercedes-Benz team...
would prove to be his last. The 1938 Tripoli Grand Prix was unusual in that instead of running the Grand Prix cars and the slower voiturette cars in separate events the fields were combined into one race. There was much confusion at the start as some of the voiturette cars were moving before the flag fell, resulting in a mixed field of fast and slower cars on the approach to the fast first corner. This confusion continued throughout the race, with the speed differential between the two classes causing a number of accidents, including a fatal crash for Italian Alfa Romeo
Alfa Romeo in motorsport
During its history, Alfa Romeo has competed successfully in many different categories of motorsport, including Grand Prix motor racing, Formula One, sportscar racing, touring car racing and rallies. They have competed both as a constructor and an engine supplier, via works entries and private...
works driver Eugenio Siena
Eugenio Siena
Eugenio Siena was an Italian racecar driver from Milano.A cousin of Giuseppe Campari, he was a mechanic and testdriver for Alfa Romeo .Next, he joined Scuderia Ferrari 1930-34....
. On Hartmann's 11th lap his Maserati 4CM voiturette was caught by the Grand Prix-class Alfa Romeo 312
Alfa Romeo 12C
The Alfa Romeo 12C or Tipo C was a 12 cylinder Grand Prix car. The 12C-36 made its debut in Tripoli Grand Prix 1936, and the 12C-37 in Coppa Acerbo 1937. The 12C36 was a Tipo C fitted with the new V12 instead of the 3.8 straight-eight of the 8C-35...
of Giuseppe Farina
Giuseppe Farina
Emilio Giuseppe "Nino" Farina was an Italian racing driver. He stands out in the history of Grand Prix motor racing for his much copied 'straight-arm' driving style and his status as the first ever Formula One World Champion.-Biography:Born in Turin, Italy and nicknamed "Nino", Farina was a doctor...
, well over a lap ahead already. As the Italian made to lap Hartmann for a second time their cars touched wheels, sending them both rolling off the race track. Both drivers were thrown from their vehicles, and although Farina escaped with only cuts and bruises Hartmann's spine was broken. He died during the early hours of the following morning, in hospital. After a short ceremony at the circuit Hartmann's body was flown back to Hungary, and he was buried in Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
's Rákoskeresztúr Cemetery.