Ralph de Palma's racing mechanic, he also worked for Mercedes in the same capacity. A small chap, he was of French ancestry. Fountaine was often credited as Fontaine. Fountaine's greatest racing achievement was definitely winning the 1915 Indianapolis 500 as de Palma's riding mechanic but Fontaine was a keen racer himself, racing for Lozier and then the works Mercedes team, both of whom were impressed by his mechanical skills. Louis specialised on road courses, coming ninth in 1912 at Milwaukee, with mechanical failure stopping him finishing high up. He undertook most of the 1917 season for Mercedes, for whom he again hooked up with de Palma for the 1919 Indianapolis 500. In 1912, for Lozier, he supported works driver Harry Nelson.

Biography last updated 27 Aug 2017