Formula One drivers from East Germany
| Drivers | 4 |
|---|---|
| Grands Prix | 2 |
| Entries | 6 |
| Starts | 6 |
| Best season finish | NC (1952, 1953) |
| Wins | 0 |
| Podiums | 0 |
| Pole positions | 0 |
| Fastest laps | 0 |
| Points | 0 |
| First entry | 1952 German Grand Prix |
| Latest entry | 1953 German Grand Prix |
There were 4 Formula One drivers from East Germany, with one of them (Edgar Barth) later racing as a West German.[1] With the exception of Barth, no East German raced in Formula One outside of Germany or after 1953.
Former drivers
Although East Germany was not represented in the FIA until 1957,[2] there have been 4 World Championship drivers who are recorded as having competed under the East German flag, including:
- Ernst Klodwig is the most successful driver to race in the World Drivers' Championship while a resident of East Germany. Klodwig competed in the 1952 German Grand Prix where he finished 12th, and in the 1953 German Grand Prix where he finished 15th.[3]
- Rudolf Krause also competed in the German Grands Prix of 1952-53. He made his debut in 1952, but retired from the race. In 1953 he finished 14th.[4]
- Edgar Barth made his debut in the 1953 German Grand Prix, but retired from the race. Barth later competed in several other Formula One seasons, racing under a West German licence.[1][5]
- Theo Fitzau also made his debut at the 1953 German Grand Prix, however he retired from the race.[6]
Timeline
| Name | Year |
|---|---|
| Ernst Klodwig | 1952–1953[3] |
| Rudolf Krause | 1952–1953[4] |
| Edgar Barth | 1953*[5] |
| Theo Fitzau | 1953[6] |
* Competed under West German racing license in 1957–1958, 1960–1961, 1964[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Drivers: Edgar Barth". grandprix.com. Retrieved 2018-12-17.
- ^ Täger, Harold. "Von der Sektion Rennsport zum ADMV". Motorostalgie (in German). Retrieved 9 March 2026.
- ^ a b "Ernst Klodwig". MotorSport magazine. Retrieved 2018-12-18.
- ^ a b "Rudolf Krause". MotorSport magazine. Retrieved 2018-12-18.
- ^ a b "Edgar Barth". MotorSport magazine. Retrieved 2018-12-18.
- ^ a b "Theo Fitzau". MotorSport magazine. Retrieved 2018-12-18.
- "The Grand Prix Who's Who", Steve Small, 4th ed.