Birabongse Bhanudej was the only Southeast Asian driver to compete in Formula One until Malaysia's Alex Yoong joined Minardi in 2001, and the only Thai driver to compete in Formula One until Alexander Albon made his debut in 2019.
11 Facts About Birabongse Bhanudej
2.
Birabongse Bhanudej competed in sailing events at four Summer Olympic Games, and flew from London to Bangkok in his own twin-engine Miles Gemini aircraft in 1952.
3.
Prince Birabongse Bhanudej's parents were Prince Bhanurangsi Savangwongse and his second wife.
4.
Birabongse Bhanudej's mother died when Prince Birabongse was only four years old.
5.
Birabongse Bhanudej was sent to Europe in 1927 to complete his education in England at Eton College, where he joined one of his nephews, a grandchild of his father through his first marriage.
6.
Birabongse Bhanudej was placed under the care of his cousin, Prince Chula Chakrabongse, who ultimately became Prince Bira's legal guardian.
7.
Prince Birabongse Bhanudej had been registered to attend Trinity College, Cambridge, but had not passed the Cambridge University entrance examination.
8.
Prince Birabongse Bhanudej did not attend the Byam Shaw School for very long, but while there he became friendly with a fellow student, Ceril Heycock, and he began courting her in earnest only a few weeks later.
9.
Birabongse Bhanudej later lived near Geneva, Switzerland, and in the south of France.
10.
Birabongse Bhanudej collapsed and died having suffered a major heart attack, but as he carried no identification with him, his body could not initially be identified.
11.
Birabongse Bhanudej started painting the cars' chassis rails yellow in 1939.