In the late 1920s-early 30s there was a French driver called Ivernel who ran a Bugatti. In the Formula One Register Black books he is given as "Ivernel" indicating this was a pseudonym. In the course of reviewing Vol 2 for a 2nd Edition I have started to come to the conclusion that this person is in fact Robert Ivernel.
The first point to note is that French entry list, results and reports very rarely gave first names unless the driver was very well known. So the vast majority of period sources I have seen just say Ivernel, BUT Le Matin 10.4.32 gives Ivernel, Robert in the entry list for the Circuit de l'Aisne. Further, in the Aurelia Orleanais 5.8.39 when talking about a flying display it says (roughly translated) " Robert Ivernel, the old racing driver, presents...."
If you Google Robert Ivernel you will find that he was a noted French pilot in the late 30s representing France in aerobatics.
Also you will find a Robert Ivernel at Buchenwald concentration camp in 1945 but that may be coincidence.
Can anyone confirm that our Bugatti driver should be Robert Ivernel ?
Richard Page
www.formulaoneregister.com