The Maestro of Formula 1's Golden Era

Juan Manuel Fangio

With 51 race starts, 23 fastest laps, 35 podiums - 24 of them being race victories. The named “Godfather” of Formula 1 set records and made history and can truly be named if not THE greatest, one of the greatest drivers in motorsport history. 

Juan Manuel Fangio.

On the 24th of June 1911, Fangio was born in Balcarce. He was the son of two Italian immigrants who had settled in Argentina. After dropping out of school, Fangio had worked as a mechanic in his Argentinian residency, he had then began to race in lethal local circuit races in which many drivers had passed away due to the lack of safety created during this time period. At the age of 23, he drove his first race in a converted Ford Taxi which unfortunately fell apart throughout the race. He strived through with success and became the National Champion in 1940 and 1941. 

Before World War 2, he had won the Gran Premio International del Norte which had a distance of 9656.064 kilometres (6000 miles) in his Chevrolet. With this, Fangio and his Chevrolet had risen to the top of conversations. 

With the financial support of the Argentinian President at the time, Juan Perón, Fangio began racing in the new era of motor racing. He had been invited to join Alfa Romeo Grand Prix Team to race in Formula 1 in the year of 1950 in which he had placed 2nd in the championship behind his teammate Farina who had gone on to win the championship that year. In the following year of 1951, he had claimed the title of “World Champion” for the first time. 

He had then made a switch to Maserati in 1952 and had claimed two race victories in 1954 before making a mid season switch to Mercedes, in which he had won his second world title that year, winning another title in the following year of 1955 with Mercedes. After Mercedes quitting the wits of motorsport due to a very tragic Le Mans Disaster which had caused the death of Pierre Levegh and over 80 spectators. Fangio had then made a move to Ferrari with whom he had won the championship with in 1956. At the age of 46, Fangio made a move back to Maserati and won his 5th World Championship title in 1957.

Fangio had set the standard for many drivers who followed along. His precision in the hard and raw condition that motorsport was can never be overlooked. Fangio was one who would compete in multiple non-championship races, one which was due to take place in Monza in 1952 driving a Maserati. After missing his flight, he drove through the Alps and had only arrived in time for the race. He started from the back of the grid and due to the fatigue he suffered after a long night drive, he had a crash after the second lap. This resulted in him having a broken neck and being unable to compete the season of 1952. 

In 1958, Fangio had come towards the end of his racing career in Formula 1. After three races, Juan Manuel Fangio had retired after the French Grand Prix. 

His name serves a well known of remembrance to the growth in motorsport and the raw talent that he had shown over his years of racing. He had served as an inspiration to many individuals (racing drivers or spectators). 

So take this as a lesson to you all, no matter what age or at what position you are in, you can truly achieve what your heart desires if you put your mind to it.

Written by Shaakirah Vangeria