Jean Guichet: “Mr. Ferrari called me, in a humorous tone, “the mercenary””

Every driver who has taken part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans describes this race as magical. What if the real magic of this ordeal was to preserve youth? At 95 years old, Jean Guichet is the oldest winner in Sarthe, but his memory plays no tricks on him! The Marseillais, a resistance fighter in the Second World War and a professional ship repairer, is a precious witness to a period of great technical developments on the side of the Scuderia, as well as to the Homeric struggle between the Prancing Horse and Ford.

Published on 10/08/2022 à 16:40

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Jean Guichet celebrates his 95th birthday: “Mr. Ferrari called me, in a humorous tone, “the mercenary””

Jean Guichet won the 24 1964 Hours of Le Mans in the Ferrari 275 P. ©DR

You first knew Enzo Ferrari as a private pilot, before he became your boss during racing events.Endurance. What relationship did you have with him?

I drove Ferraris competitively for ten years, from 1957 to 1967. First as a “private driver” from 1957 to 1963, then as an official driver for Scuderia Ferrari from 1963 to 1967. In the World Championship with Ferrari , my results were twenty podiums including three at Le Mans, and six victories in the general classification. In 1961 and 1962, I drove with Pierre Noblet. Our small private team was very efficient, we first had a 250 SWB, then the 250 GTO. We competed for overall victories with an independent team and a Grand Touring car, against the most competitive official teams with prototypes! After my results as a “Ferrari private driver”, (will