Being the son of one of France's most famous actors has probably done Belmondo no favours, but he has steadily plugged away at his chosen career, shrugging aside the jealous accusations that he is no more than a 'playboy racer'.

    Certainly the winner of the 1982 Pilote Elf was something of an enigma during his years in French Formula 3 between 1983 and 1986, the young Belmondo putting in some useful performances without being quite on the pace of each new batch of hot-shots as they leap-frogged over him on their way up.

    Eventually, in 1987, he followed more stellar talents into F3000 and scored a fifth place at Pau with a GBDA Lola, but nothing concrete was achieved during the next three seasons save a single sixth place in the Le Mans round in 1990. A disastrous 1991 season with the Apomatox team's Reynard was hardly ideal preparation for his unexpected elevation to the Grand Prix ranks, but he settled into the second March in the first half of 1992 surprisingly well - ironically his best performances for the team were at Hockenheim and the Hungaroring, his last two races before his money ran out. Charged with bringing the car home in one piece at all costs, Paul's sensible approach helped to keep the team afloat financially, and even his greatest detractors would admit that he had done a sound job in difficult circumstances. Just as it seemed that Paul would join the ranks of ex-Formula 1 drivers, he became part of the new Pacific Grand Prix team for 1994. Unfortunately, the car was never remotely competitive and his frustrating second spell in F1 was largely spent accumulating a string of non-qualifications along with team-mate Gachot.

    Following his stab at F1, Belmondo turned his attentions to GT racing; initially he drove a Ferrari GT40 in 1996, before setting up his own team running Chrysler Vipers. The high point to date came late in 1999, when Paul won the FIA GT round at Homestead, beating the works cars.

(c) 'Who is Who' by Steve Small, 2000