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100 years of racing legend Juan Manuel Fangio

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Created on June 24, 2011

Text:

Adriano Cimarosti

Photos:

Collection Maniago

Archiv

Collection Maniago

Archiv

Alfa Romeo Alfetta 158 (1951) - Juan Manuel Fangio at the wheel of the superior Alfetta - crash helmets were not compulsory until 1952

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Maserati 250F (1957) - Juan Manuel Fangio in a fast Maserati at the 1957 Silverstone GP - Fangio secured his fifth world championship title that year

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Talbot (1951) - Juan Manuel Fangio talks to Louis Rosier in the Talbot pits - Le Mans 1951

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Chevrolet Corvette SS (1957) - Fangio at the wheel of the Corvette SS at Sebring '57

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Chevrolet Corvette SS (1957) - Fangio at the wheel of the Corvette SS - Sebring '57

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Summary

On June 24, 2011, the Argentinian would have been 100 years old. Fangio is one of the greatest racing drivers of all time. He died in Buenos Aires on July 17, 1995 at the age of 84. Our report revisits the most important stages of his life and provides an insight into his outstanding driving skills. There are also some rarely or never before published pictures.

This article contains the following chapters

Luck in misfortune
The best, despite an unspectacular driving style
No friendship with Enzo Ferrari
Record-breaking chase in front of an enthusiastic crowd
Maintaining contacts and appearances in historic racing cars

Estimated reading time: 5min

Preview (beginning of the article)

Juan Manuel Fangio was recognized everywhere, even after his retirement as a racing driver. Wherever he appeared, conversations fell silent. He was a charismatic figure, not a showman, with a modest appearance and soft voice. His looks from his gray eyes also made an impression on the ladies - but the "maestro" was never married, although he did have a son. Fangio's parents - his father was a bricklayer - emigrated from Abruzzo in Italy to Argentina at a young age. Juan Manuel was the fourth of seven children. The family settled in the village of Balcarce, around 350 km south of Buenos Aires. As a youngster, Fangio dreamed of becoming a footballer - but he became famous as a racing driver. Between 1950 and 1958, he contested 51 Grand Prix races and won 24 of them, ending his 29-year career as a five-time world champion. A record that was only broken by Michael Schumacher.

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