Oldest living former Formula 1 driver Hermano da Silva Ramos dies aged 100

Hermano da Silva Ramos, one of the final surviving representatives of Formula 1’s earliest generation, has passed away aged 100.

Born in Paris on 7 December 1925 to Portuguese parents, Ramos became part of grand prix racing during a period when Formula 1 was still finding its identity. The championship was only a few years old when he entered the grid with Gordini in the mid-1950s.

Although his Formula 1 career was short, Ramos remains connected to an important chapter of the sport’s history. He competed in seven world championship grands prix across the 1955 and 1956 seasons, racing at a time when drivers regularly switched between Formula 1, endurance racing and dangerous road events within the same year.

His most memorable result came at the 1956 Monaco Grand Prix, where he finished fifth for Gordini and scored two championship points. In that era, only the top five finishers received points, making the result a significant achievement for a small French team fighting against stronger factory opposition.

Ramos made his final Formula 1 appearance later that same year at Monza. His race ended after only a few laps because of engine trouble, bringing a quiet close to his world championship career.

Away from Formula 1, Ramos also took part in famous endurance and road races including the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the legendary Mille Miglia, events that defined European motorsport in the 1950s.

In recent years, his name returned to wider attention after he became the oldest living former Formula 1 driver in April 2023 following the death of Kenneth McAlpine at the age of 102.

Only three Formula 1 drivers in history are known to have reached 100 years of age: Ramos, McAlpine and German racer Paul Pietsch.

With Ramos’ passing, the title of oldest living former Formula 1 driver now belongs to John Rhodes, who made a single world championship appearance at the 1965 British Grand Prix.