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 Bira in 1944 | |||||
| Born | Mom Chao Birabongse Bhanudej Bhanubandh 15 July 1914 Grand Palace, Bangkok, Siam | ||||
| Died | 23 December 1985 (aged 71) London, England | ||||
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| House | Bhanubandh (Chakri Dynasty) | ||||
| Father | Prince Bhanubandhubongse Voradej | ||||
| Mother | Mom Lek Bhanubandh na Ayudhya (née Yongchaiyudh) | ||||
| Formula One World Championship career | |||||
| Nationality |  Thai | ||||
| Active years | 1950–1954 | ||||
| Teams | Platé, privateer Maserati, Gordini, Connaught, Milano, Maserati | ||||
| Entries | 19 | ||||
| Championships | 0 | ||||
| Wins | 0 | ||||
| Podiums | 0 | ||||
| Career points | 8 | ||||
| Pole positions | 0 | ||||
| Fastest laps | 0 | ||||
| First entry | 1950 British Grand Prix | ||||
| Last entry | 1954 Spanish Grand Prix | ||||
| 24 Hours of Le Mans career | |||||
| Years | 1939, 1954 | ||||
| Teams | Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin | ||||
| Best finish | DNF (1939, 1954) | ||||
| Class wins | 0 | ||||
Prince Birabongse Bhanudej Bhanubandh[a] (Thai: พีรพงศ์ภาณุเดช; RTGS: Phiraphong Phanudet; 15 July 1914 – 23 December 1985), commonly known as Prince Bira of Siam or simply Prince Bira,[b] was a member of the Thai royal family. Bira was also a racing driver, sailor and pilot, who competed in Formula One from 1950 to 1954 and at four editions of the Summer Olympics between 1956 and 1972.
A member of the Chakri dynasty, Bira studied at Eton College before he began competing in Grand Prix motor racing in 1935, later advancing to Formula One for its inaugural 1950 season. He competed for several teams including Platé, Gordini, Connaught, Milano and Maserati, amongst other privateer entries in Maserati machinery. Across five seasons and 19 Grands Prix, Bira scored several points finishes, including fourth-placed finishes at the 1950 Swiss Grand Prix and the 1954 French Grand Prix, amongst two non-championship race victories. He remained the only Southeast Asian to compete in Formula One until Malaysian driver Alex Yoong in 2001, and the only Thai driver until Alexander Albon in 2019. Outside of Formula One, Bira won the New Zealand Grand Prix in 1955, driving the Maserati 250F. Bira also competed in sailing events at four Summer Olympic Games and was an amateur pilot, flying from London to Bangkok in his own twin-engine Miles Gemini aircraft in 1952.
Bira is credited with establishing the racing colours of Thailand: pale blue and yellow. Upon his death in December 1985, the Bira Circuit was built in his honour, becoming the first motor racing circuit in Thailand to meet FIA standards.
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