Fernand Gabriel

Fernand Gabriel (April 30 1878 - September 9 1943) was among the first generation motor racing drivers and took part in the inaugural Grand Prix at the 1906 French Grand Prix. He was killed during World War Two when the factory he was working in was bombed. 
==Formula One Career==
There is very little information surrounding his youth and early career, all that is known is that at the age of 21 he started his racing career in the 1899 Paris-Bordeaux. He entered a voiturette model Decauville, however he would retire early on. He was then recorded to have taken part in the 1899 Tour de France Automobile, retrospectively referred to by the ASF as the 1899 French Grand Prix. Gabriel would go on to win the voiturette category for the race. 
Gabriel did not participate in racing during 1900, however in 1901, the same year he got married to Berthe Cerisay he made his racing return. Gabriel participated in another Voiturette race through the Belgian city of Oostende. In 1902, he participated in one of the first races in the mountain climb category. In a mountain climb between Nice and La Turbie, Gabriel would once again take victory in the Voiturette class. However he was impressively only 13 seconds behind the overall winner. 
Thereafter he graduated beyond the Voiturettes and would race for the Mors constructor. Although his first race at the Paris-Vienna ended in retirement, he then improved incredibly impressively at the Circuit de Ardennes. He looked set to win the race, however a car failure meant he was ultimately classified second. 
However Gabriel would have more defining success at Deauville, he brought his car across the line to take his first outright victory. Gabriel's victory was also a definitive moment in that a petrol engined car had defeated the more commonly used steam engine.
==Formula One Statistical Overview==
===Formula One Record===
Year	Entrant	Team	Points	Pos.	Report
 	 	 	 	 	
 	 	 	 	 	
===Career Statistics===
===Race Wins===
Win Number	Grand Prix
===Career Results===
==Notes==
Category:French Drivers
Category:Pre-war drivers
Category:1899 Début Drivers
Category:Project Career Results
Category:Deceased Drivers