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Birabongse Bhanudej
Prince of Siam, racing driver, sailor and pilot (1914–1985) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Prince Birabongse Bhanudej Bhanubandh (Thai: พีรพงศ์ภาณุเดช; RTGS: Phiraphong Phanudet; 15 July 1914 – 23 December 1985), His Full title: His Highness Prince Birabongse Bhanudej better known as Prince Bira of Siam (now Thailand) or by his nom de course B. Bira, was a member of the Thai royal family, racing driver, sailor, and pilot.[1]
Birabongse Bhanudej | |||||
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![]() Birabongse in 1944 | |||||
Born | (1914-07-15)15 July 1914 Grand Palace, Bangkok, Siam | ||||
Died | 23 December 1985(1985-12-23) (aged 71) London, England | ||||
Spouse |
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Issue |
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House | Bhanubandh (Chakri Dynasty) | ||||
Father | Prince Bhanubandhubongse Voradej | ||||
Mother | Mom Lek Bhanubandh na Ayudhya (née Yongchaiyudh) | ||||
Formula One World Championship career | |||||
Nationality | ![]() | ||||
Active years | 1950–1954 | ||||
Teams | Enrico Platé, Gordini, Connaught, Maserati, Scuderia Milano, independent | ||||
Entries | 19 | ||||
Championships | 0 | ||||
Wins | 0 | ||||
Podiums | 0 | ||||
Career points | 8 | ||||
Pole positions | 0 | ||||
Fastest laps | 0 | ||||
First entry | 1950 British Grand Prix | ||||
Last entry | 1954 Spanish Grand Prix | ||||
24 Hours of Le Mans career | |||||
Years | 1939, 1954 | ||||
Teams | Raymond Sommer Aston Martin | ||||
Best finish | DNF (1939, 1954) | ||||
Class wins | 0 | ||||
Birabongse raced in Formula One and Grand Prix races for the Maserati, Gordini, and Connaught teams. He was the only Southeast Asian driver to compete in Formula One until Malaysia's Alex Yoong joined Minardi in 2001, and the only Thai driver to compete in Formula One until Alex Albon made his debut in 2019. Birabongse also competed in sailing events at four Summer Olympic Games, and flew from London to Bangkok in his own twin-engine Miles Gemini aircraft in 1952.