4 of the oldest drivers to enter an F1 race

#3 Philippe Etancelin

Philippe Etancelin

There's something incredible and pure about French racing drivers, isn't it? For some reason, you can't keep France out of action in F1.

Speaking of French drivers, there's always the incredible Alain Prost- 'The Professor'- who comes to the mind in lines with his dogged duels with Ayrton Senna.

A four-time world champion, Lorette-born Prost's feats still attract attention and envy. Where the current grid stands, there's not only Romain Grosjean, the most experienced French driver today but also the likes of impressive young talents: Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly, who's now Red Bull-bound.

That said, what about other French drivers? Was there an old Frenchman who came in the sport, made headlines and went?

To that regard, Philippe Etancelin commands reverence for two reasons.

First, that he was part of the inaugural F1 season, his first race entry was the 1950 British Grand Prix.

And second, for the fact that he made his F1 debut aged 55 years and 191 days.

While he won many Grands Prix prior to the inception of Formula 1, such as memorable races at Algeria and several races in France, it would be his F1 debut that would highlight him as a driver.