Leon Albertini

Leon Albertini (born 4th October 1925 in Nonantola, Italy) is a Monegasque businessman and racing driver of Italian descent best known as the founder of the Italian shipyard Albertini Construzioni Navali. He was often nicknamed "purple head" (testa viola) because of his distinctive lavender coloured helmet.

Early life

Albertini was born in Nonantola on October 4, 1925, the son of Valeria Mignolet, Italian painter of Belgian descent and Domenico Albertini, shipbuilder and engineer. When World War II broke out in 1939, his father Domenico left the business to work in a Cantieri Riuniti dell'Adriatico shipyard building military vessels, whereas his mother decided to move to France with him and his younger brother Giovanni. After World War II they were reunited. In 1948 Domenico and Leon's uncle Sergio, using the knowledge Domenico had acquired in the shipyard, founded Albertini Construzioni Navali. Thanks to Italian government orders they were the leading shipbuilding company in Italy, and their staff grew from a handful of people to almost 400.

Racing career

Motorcycle racing

Domenico Albertini died of cancer in March 1951, and Leon took over the business. In May 1952 he moved the company headquarters to Monte Carlo and discovered his passion for motorcycle racing. He obtained his French racing license and built his own motorcycle from spare parts, called the Goccia (Italian for "drop", thanks to its streamlined bodywork) and took part in the French round of the FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix in 1954, where he finished 7th. It was his only appearance in a professional event, and afterwards he only participated in local events. Leon tried to enter the same Grand Prix in 1959 using the same machine, but it was denied entry by officials because of its obsolete and unsafe construction.

Formula One

In 1960 Leon moved on to car racing, and once again built his own machine using an old wrecked Connaught B and Climax engine, called the Albertini DV1 ("DV" is an acronym of his parents names - Domenico and Valeria). He tried to enter the Monaco Grand Prix, but couldn't qualify for the race. He attempted to take part in the French Grand Prix, but the truck that was going to deliver Leon's car to the track broke down, but thanks to his close friend Maurice Trintignant he started the race using Trintignant's spare car. Both Maurice and Leon retired after an accident. Albertini realised the danger of racing and put his career on hold to focus on his shipyard. It wasn't until 1966 when he got in touch with Enzo Ferrari and was given an offer he couldn't refuse the he returned to racing, becoming one of Ferrari's drivers for the 1967 season. He agreed right away, and started training in his old machine to regain some of his former courage and confidence. However, after two attempts his services were cut short and Albertini's career in open-wheel racing was over.

Private life

Leon is married to a former Italian model Rita Carpignone, with whom he has two children: Francois (born 1968) and Valeria (born 1976). His grandson, Jean-Vincent, is currently competing in the F3RWRS for his own private team.

His younger brother, Giovanni (born August 1926), emigrated to the United States in 1949, settling in Speedway, Indiana. He attempted to qualify for the 1951 Indianapolis 500 as John Carl Albert. Now he's in charge of Albertini America, the American subsidiary of Albertini Consorzio.

Results

Year	Entrant	Chassis	Engine	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	WDC	Points
1960	Leon Albertini	Albertini DV1	Climax Straight-4	ARG	MON DNQ	500	NED	BEL							NC	0
		Cooper T51	Maserati Straight-4						FRA Ret	GBR	POR	ITA	USA
1967	Scuderia Ferrari	Ferrari 312	Ferrari V12	RSA Ret	MON Ret	NED DNS	BEL	FRA	GBR	GER	CAN	ITA	USA	MEX	NC	0

External links

• Leon's 1967 season in details