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F1'S GREATEST DRIVERS - AUTOSPORT persuaded 217 world championship Formula 1 heroes to vote for the all-time greates driver
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Behra could have been France's first title winner, but despite having the talent never won a world championship grand prix.
A fighter in the Gilles Villeneuve mould, with courage and car control to spare, he became a national hero leading the Gordini team after winning the non-championship Grand Prix de la Marne at Reims in 1952.
His days with Maserati were only slightly less frustrating. In 1955, he had little chance against the all-conquering Mercedes W196s, then played second fiddle to superstar team-mates Stirling Moss and then Juan Manuel Fangio in 1956 and 1957.
Punching Ferrari team manager Romolo Tavoni after retiring on his Ferrari debut in 1959 was a bad career move, and he was promptly sacked. A few weeks later, he was killed after being thrown from his Porsche RSK and hitting a flagpole during a sportscar race at Avus
STATISTICS
| Born | 16 Feb 1921 |
| Died | 1 Aug 1959 |
| Active years | 1952 - 1959 |
| Best | 4th (1956) |
| Presences | 53 |
| Starts | 52 |
| Best race | 2nd |
| Podiums | 9 |
| Best grid | 2nd |
| Front row | 10 |
| Fastest laps | 1 |
| Races led | 7 |
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