1921 French Grand Prix | 1. Introduction
AMERICA versus EUROPE
After native firms being back on the Indianapolis 500's highest podium step, America disembarked at France through Deusenberg ready to conquer “The Grand Prix”. Writes: David Leciñana | Photo credits: Bibliothèque Nationale de France.
Since the first races of the century were contested french technology had enjoyed a great reputation. Their automobile club (the A.C.F.) organized the “Great Prize” (Grand Prix) where car companies fought for a succulent sum of money and international prestige. On the other side of the ocean Indiana's oval also yielded to power from Peugeot, Ballot and Delage.
At the start of the 1920s decade the situation changes. The country is enveloped by a profound postwar crisis. Companies come back to their regular activities slowly and compensate the enormous loss of economically active population the best they can (this neither permitted the proliferation of new steering wheel talents). However, new achievements were being obtained in U.S. and two brothers, Frederick and August Deusenberg, stand out because of their Indy 500 performances; when 3-litre formula is revealed for the next French Grand Prix, the round becomes their next target. Albert Champion, french ex-ciclist now based in Michigan with a successful spark plug business, also gives Deusenberg bros. the economical push needed.
The “Grand Épreuve” par excellence wasn't being contested for seven years (last time being in Lyon right before the Great War broke out) and after many delays the date is fixed on Monday 25nd of July 1921. On its return, the A.C.F. wants to secure a home car win and elevates entry taxes to foreign teams. The measure has no effect and Deusenberg, FIAT and S.T.D. Motors british conglomerate (Talbot, Talbot-Darracq and Sunbeam) show interest. Ballot and Mathis remained as the only national firms destined for defending the homeland honor.
La Sarthe circuit was 10,73 miles long originally and would host the most famous race in the world from 1923 onwards: the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
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1. Introduction | 1921 French Grand Prix
| #12 Murphy (USA) | 26 years old |
| #06 Guyot (FRA) | 39 years old |
| #16 Boyer (USA) | 31 years old |
| #07 Dubonnet (FRA) | 24 years old |
| #01 De Palma (USA) | 38 years old |
| #08 Chassagne (FRA) | 40 years old |
| #14 Wagner (FRA) | 39 years old |
| #18 Goux (FRA) | 36 years old |
| #04 Guinness (IRL) | 33 years old |
| #10 Segrave (UK) | 24 years old |
| #05 Thomas (FRA) | 35 years old |
| #15 Boillot (FRA) | 29 years old |
| #03 Mathis (FRA) | 41 years old |
The area around Le Mans city was chosen for the race location (some 125 mi. in southwestern direction from Paris). The area had already hosted the event in other ocassions but a new circuit is designed this time, joining this town with Muslanne across public roads. Free practices had started two months ago, allowing them from 5 to 6 am.
The course already gathered together an exceptional group of individuals in these practicing days. Ballot had raced with famous Ralp de Palma at the wheel in Indianapolis a few months ago and, although a mechanical failure deprived him from victory, he was chosen for Le Mans because of his experience in driving 3-litre engines. Jean Chassange (1913 GP de l'ACF winner), aviation pionner Louis Wagner (1908 U.S. GP winner and 2nd at 1914 GP de l'ACF) and Jules Goux (3rd at 1919 Indy 500) joined him. On its part, most direct rival Deusenberg recruited Joe Boyer, Albert Guyot, Louis Inghilbert and bright hope Jimmy Murphy.
English S.T.D. Motors called their two official drivers Kenelm Lee Guinness and Henry Seagrave. The first one, form the well-known brewery family, had won the 1907 Isle of Man Tourist Trophy and as an engineer had just developed a revolutionary spark plug under his own KLG company. On the other hand, Seagrave arrived from serving the Royal Flying Corps in the War and being 24 great international triumphs were waiting for him in car races and world speed records attempts (both on land and water). As additional drivers under S.T.D. we also find René Thomas (2nd at last year Indianapolis race) and André Boillot (1919 Targa Florio winner). Émile Mathis, who raced with his own car company, completed the grid. He came from the Alsace region, a german territory not long ago (as a reminder, no driver or german company was allowed to race in France, Belgium and United Kingdom after the First World War).
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