Heinz Melkus

Heinz Melkus (Born April 20th, 1928 in Dresden, died September 5th, 2005 in Dresden) was an East German Grand Prix racing car driver and automotive constructor.

Heinz had two sons; Ulli and Peter - whom would both go on to become racing drivers in their own right. Ulli, in particular, followed in his father's footsteps and raced briefly in Formula One in the mid 1970s before being killed in a road accident in 1990.

Melkus began his Formula One career in 1956, where he raced in the East German Grand Prix for the Argentinian Escuderia Hernandez team. Against all odds, Melkus took a second place in his home race - an achievement that would see him be received as a national hero.

Melkus would return in 1957 for the state-sponsored M.S.G. Köthen team, taking in a part season.

Following his Formula One career, Melkus founded the eponymous Melkus Car Company in his native Dresden which operated until the mid-1980s.