Born in Biella, Italy to an aristocratic family The Marchese "Tonino" Brivio began racing with an 1,199cc supercharged Derby in 1927. In 1934 he joined Bugatti, and drove a Type 59 to 2nd place while setting fastest lap in the Belgian GP. The German teams boycotted the race when the Belgian Customs Authorities attempted to levy a 180,000 franc duty on their special racing fuel. He would gain his greatest success in sports cars winning the Targa Floria in 1933 and 1935 in addition to the Mille Miglia in 1936. After retiring in 1937 Brivio would continue being involved in motorsports, later become president of the Commissione Sportiva Automobilistica Italiana (CSAI). He would make one last competitive drive in the 1947 Mille Miglia teaming up with one of the founders of the event, Aymo Maggi.