His superlative track record was achieved by some of the greatest displays of skill and daring ever seen.
Follow Us
Formula 1 is currently dominated by Lewis Hamilton, having witnessed the dominance of Michael Schumacher previously. However, the 1950s belonged to legendary racer Juan Manuel Fangio, who won five world championships during that period. That era was not renowned for safety, making it all the more impressive. Fangio emerged victorious with four different teams: Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz and Maserati, driving some of the most iconic racing cars in the history of the sport. The legendary racer’s hit rate is extraordinary with 29 pole positions, 48 front-row starts and 24 victories from 51 Championship Grand Prix starts. Fangio was 46 when he won his last title in 1957. The racer always made sure that he was in the right car when it mattered the most. This was maintained till the very end. However, this insistence upset Enzo Ferrari, who believed that total fealty to his team was the most important factor, establishing a motor racing truism that still holds today.
Fangio ensured style, grace, nobility and a sense of humour at every stage throughout his career, leading to many going on to hail him as the greatest driver of all time. The superlative track record was accomplished on the back of some of the greatest displays of skill and daring ever seen.
Fangio was nicknamed the ‘Old Man’ by rivals who admired the ageing genius, being young enough to be his sons. They further enjoyed an opportunity to hail from privileged backgrounds. The legendary racer in comparison came from a remote corner of Argentina, a town called Balcarce which could easily have escaped the radar if not for him. His father and mother were immigrants from the Abruzzi region of Italy, with a keen desire to ensure utmost hard work at any cost.
Fangio was deeply devoted to them, having witnessed them raise six children (three boys and three girls) with all the right values. The legendary racer hailed his parents for ensuring the virtues of honesty and integrity, self-discipline, respect for others and the sense of responsibility maintained an important role in his approach.
Fangio started working as a mechanic at the age of 11, before going on to spend nearly four decades in the trade. The legendary racer was a pioneering exponent of the four-wheel drift, negotiating corners with a beautiful tyre-smoking powerslide that left onlookers in a state of absolute wonder. He further enjoyed brute strength as well as awe-inspiring stamina enabling him to excel in an era that required heavy cars to be hauled through rough-hewn tracks. Fangio enjoyed degrees of steely nerve and raw courage that modern-day racers can certainly look to emulate.
This control and excellent hand and eye coordination also saved him the pain of sustaining unnecessary injuries. He had to face very few accidents, with the only serious injury caused due to extreme fatigue. Fangio completed an all-night drive in 1952, through the Alps followed by a race in a pre-season now championship event at Monza. The racer lost control on the second lap, crashing heavily. This resulted in a broken neck leaving him with a permanently stiff upper torso.
His balding, short, stocky physique further earned him the nickname ‘El Chueco’ which means bow-legged. However, Fangio’s personal magnetism along with the exploits in driving made him a fan-favourite. This love extended even in the case of members of Fidel Castro’s revolutionary movement, with the racer kidnapped in Cuba to draw attention to their cause, before being released unarmed.
Fangio was the perfect example that proved that the supposed rule of nice guys finishing last, was not a certainty. Rival and Mercedes teammate Stirling Moss hailed him as a ‘Maestro’, adding that he loved the racer like a father.
“Most of us who drove quickly were bastards. But I can’t think of any facets of Juan’s character which one wouldn’t like to have in one’s own,” he said in an interaction with the official website of Formula 1.
Perhaps, the only one who had a harsh word in store for the racer was Enzo Ferrari, who criticized him following the racer’s decision to leave Ferrari in favour of arch-enemy Maserati.
“Fangio did not remain loyal to any marque, and he invariably used every endeavour to ensure that he would always drive the best car available,” said Ferrari highlighting his annoyance.
Moss is quick to defend Fangio, hailing him as someone who deserved to have the best car at every stage.
“Because he was the best bloody driver! The cheapest method of becoming a successful Grand Prix team was to sign up Fangio,” read his retort.
Fangio’s triumph in the 1957 German Grand Prix, having lost nearly a minute following a botched pit stop, saw him script history after smashing the lap record. The epic drive was followed by his retirement a few months later. The legendary racer died in 1995, aged 84 at his home in Argentina, marking the conclusion of an epic saga.
