Franco Cortese

Franco Cortese (February 10 1903 in Oggebbio Novara near Turin - November 13 1986) was an Italian automobile racing driver, who started the Mille Miglia a record 14 times (1927-1956). He started with Itala (1926), then Alfa Romeo, Bugatti, for Scuderia Ferrari (1930). With Maserati he did voiturette racing (1937-39).

Cortese became most famous for his affiliation with Ferrari (1947-1951), which brought victories at:


 * 1947 Grand Prix of Rome
 * 1947 Circuito di Vercelli
 * 1947 Circuito di Vigevano
 * 1947 Circuito di Varese
 * 1950 Grand Prix of Naples

With Frazer-Nash he won the 1951 Targa Florio, and again, with Ferrari he won the 1956 Italian 2-litre championship in a Ferrari 500.