Born into a working class family in Budduso, Sardinia, Italy, Biondetti began racing motorcycles in 1923 but in 1927 turned to automobiles. By 1931 his performance earned him a spot in Grand Prix motor racing with the Maserati factory team.
His success racing on circuits was minimal, but he was one of the best in tough endurance events. Driving an Alfa Romeo, Clemente Biondetti won the 1938 Mille Miglia for sports cars and at the Coppa Ciano finished second in the voiturette class then third in the main event. In 1939, he won the Coppa Acerbo voiturette class and took second place at the Swiss Grand Prix. His racing career came to a halt following the outbreak of World War II in 1940. By the time he was able to resume racing after the war, he was already 49 years old. Nevertheless, he dominated Italian endurance racing, driving to victory in the Mille Miglia for three straight years from 1947 through 1949 and the Targa Florio in 1948 and 1949. He won more Mille Miglias than any other driver in history.
Biondetti in his Maserati at Monte Carlo, 1937
Clemente Biondetti participated in one Formula one event, debuting on September 3, in the 1950 Italian Grand Prix. Engine problems forced him out of the race without earning any championship points. Biondetti loved racing cars and continued to compete in sports car and endurance events, earning a second place finish in a Ferrari at the 12 Hours of Pescara in 1952 against much younger drivers. After suffering with cancer for a number of years, he was forced him to retire in 1954. He passed away early the following year in Florence, Italy.
Biondetti was born in a small village in the hills of northern Sardinia and grew up there.
Biondetti later became a Maserati factory driver and finished third in both the French and Rome Grands Prix.
Biondetti's contribution to the Mille Miglia has not been forgotten and today there is an impressive memorial to him at the top of the old Raticosa Pass on the old Mille Miglia route.
ClementeBiondetti (born August 18, 1898 in Budduso, Sardinia; died February 24, 1955 in Florence) was an Italian auto racing driver.
Biondetti in his Maserati at Monte Carlo, 1937.
Driving an Alfa Romeo, ClementeBiondetti won the 1938 Mille Miglia for sports cars and at the Coppa Ciano finished second in the voiturette class then third in the main event.
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