Johnny Claes

Octave John 'Johnny' Claes (born 11 August 1916 in London, died 3 February 1956 in Brussels) was a Belgian racing driver and jazz trumpeter who competed in Formula 1 from 1950 until 1955. Starting off as the owner-driver of the initially competitive Claes Racing Developments, he competed as a privateer (employing other drivers alongside him) until significant rule changes in 1953 drove him to drive for other teams, notably Leader and Mercedes-Benz before buying into Jacques Swaters' Ecurie Nationale Belge in early 1955. After a couple of entries that year, Claes retired from racing due to ill health. He died shortly thereafter from tuberculosis, aged 39.

Complete Alternate Formula One results
(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; Races in italics indicate fastest lap)