Bugatti cars achieved numerous victories in early Grand Prix motor racing and sports car competition. The Bugatti Type 10 swept the top four positions at its first race. The Type 35 was developed with master engineer and racing driver Jean Chassagne, who also drove it in the car's first Grand Prix at Lyon in 1924. Bugattis won the Targa Florio for five consecutive years from 1925 through 1929. In 1929, a privately entered Bugatti won the first ever Monaco Grand Prix. Louis Chiron held the most podiums in Bugatti cars, and the 1999 Bugatti 18/3 Chiron concept car was named in his honor.
Bugatti's racing success included two victories at Le Mans. Jean-Pierre Wimille won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1937 with Robert Benoist, and again in 1939 with Pierre Veyron. The 1939 victory was achieved with just one car and limited resources.
The death of Jean Bugatti, Ettore Bugatti's son, on 11 August 1939, marked a turning point for the company. He died while testing a Type 57 tank-bodied race car near the Molsheim factory. Ettore Bugatti died on 21 August 1947, halting development of a 375 cc supercharged car. With no successor, the company ceased automobile production in 1952.
A mid-engined Type 251 race car was attempted in the mid-1950s under Roland Bugatti, designed with help from Gioacchino Colombo, but it failed to perform to expectations. Bugatti last raced in Formula One in 1956 with the Type 251.
The Bugatti Bolide is a track-only hypercar with a W-16 engine producing 1,578 horsepower, matching the output of its street-legal siblings. It weighs approximately 3,200 pounds, making it considerably lighter than a Chiron. Bugatti driver Andy Wallace stated that the Bolide's performance is on a different level from other cars he has driven, capable yet easy to handle. He noted that coming out of a corner, the Bolide would pull away from a Formula 1 car. The production Bolide has a top speed of 236 mph, which is faster than the current F1 speed record of 231 mph. Engineers claim it can pull 2.5 g in turns, though this is below the 5 g turns F1 drivers experience. The Bolide is designed to perform close to Formula 1 cars, with its W16 engine optimized for race tracks, including modified turbochargers and lubrication systems to withstand elevated temperatures and forces. Its intake and exhaust systems were de-throttled for faster response and a new W16 sound. The Bolide features a lightweight carbon monocoque, designed around its compact drivetrain, which contributes to its aerodynamic effectiveness. It can generate nearly three tons of downforce, achieved through groundbreaking aerodynamics, an uncompromising design, and a low center of gravity. A prominent front diffuser, air curtains, and a carefully designed underfloor create a suction effect while minimizing drag. Drivers can adapt the airflow and aero-balance of their vehicles depending on the chassis setting. The Bolide's cockpit draws inspiration from LMP1 race cars, and it utilizes a state-of-the-art push-rod suspension architecture for exceptional driving performance and handling dynamics. Similar to Formula 1, the Bolide uses carbon disks and pads for deceleration, paired with lightweight monobloc calipers aided by dedicated cooling ducts. Only 40 Bolides are slated for production, with a $4 million price tag.
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