Although Jean never managed to win a sanctioned Formula 1 event, he was always considered a formidable competitor and contender.  He did manage to win many non-championship events, including an impressive drive in the Morocco Grand Prix of 1957 when he bettered a top class field.  After spending most of his career with the Maserati works team, he moved to Ferrari in 1959 and was dismissed when, after retiring due to piston failure, he let his emotions get the better of him, punching the team manager Romolo Tavoni.

   Jean's career did have its fair share of accidents, including the one sustained in the 1956 season while competing for  the Tourist Trophy which cost him one of his ears.  Even more tragic was the accident he had during the supporting race for the German Grand Prix at the very unpopular Avus track outside Berlin, when he entered a privately funded Porsche and was killed instantly when he lost control on the steep banking and his car took off; throwing him out of the car and into an needlessly placed flagpole.  
 

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