It happened today – 17 July

[Rob]

On this day back in 1995, Juan Manuel Fangio passed away in Buenos Aires. Born in Balcare, Argentina on 24th June 1911, Fangio was Formula 1 World Champion five times, in 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956 and 1957. In ’56, he took the title driving for Scuderia Ferrari. At the wheel of a D50, designed and built by Lancia, who pulled out of the sport the year before, the Argentine took part in seven Grands Prix, winning three and starting six times from pole.

His record for world titles was only broken 46 years later, by another Ferrari driver, Michael Schumacher.

http://formula1.ferrari.com/news/happened-today-17-july

RIP Juan.

[Tifoso]

A genius behind the wheel.

May he RIP.

[shamim179]

What a legend he was. Undoubtedly one of the all time greats. A day of remembrance.

[tifosi1993]

R.I.P

[REDARMYSOJA]

For those who have never seen it, a film done after Fangio retired, but you still get to see Il Maestro wheel a D50 around Monaco.

[sagi58]

For those who have never seen it, a film done after Fangio retired, but you still get to see Il Maestro wheel a D50 around Monaco.

WoW!! Thanks for sharing that!!

[killer]

For those who have never seen it, a film done after Fangio retired, but you still get to see Il Maestro wheel a D50 around Monaco.

Is there a driver in recent or current times that is similar to Sr. Fangio's a) demeanor/attitude and b) driving style?

[REDARMYSOJA]

Is there a driver in recent or current times that is similar to Sr. Fangio's a) demeanor/attitude and b) driving style?

Not that I can think of anyway, some have been as successful, some have the respect, some are as much the likable gentleman, but none seem to put all of it together the way Fangio did.

Not many would win 4 more championships AFTER being near death with a broken neck from a racing accident.

Not many would be kidnapped by rebels like Fangio was in Cuba, only to make friends with his kidnappers to the point their kidnappers would apologize to them and treat them like a guest and also send them birthday wishes even when they were 80 years old.

Not many would have the respect of fellow drivers to the point they would refuse to lap them, the way Hawthorn did at the '58 French GP.

Not many would have the car control, especially in those beasts that Fangio wrestled around track, to where a photographer could put a piece of tape on track to mark Fangio's line through a corner, and have everyone watch in amazement as Fangio hit the same piece of tape lap after lap after lap.

I'm sure someone, somewhere at sometime said something bad about Juan Manuel Fangio, but I've never seen it.


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[Sonic Feathers]

Absolutely awesome! Thanks RAS & Rob for the reminder of such a greatness of personalities. All done in an age where F1 pilots were heroes! Wonder how many of todays drivers would risk as much without todays safety nets. Considering how these men cheated death every time they drove & drove with such unerring exactitude & drove the guts out of their wieldly machines. RIP Fangio, your legend remains!

[wisepie]

Incredible footage, total commitment and no safety features, any driver of that era commands the utmost respect.

[fratelliferrari]

Many many thanks for this video REDARMYSOYA! What a great driver! RIP Fangio

[Liscia]

With Ascari, one of the two heroes of my youth!

[ManFromMilan]

Thanks Red, a great video and a great champion.

Rest in peace Mr. Juan Manuel Fangio

[killer]

I'm sure someone, somewhere at sometime said something bad about Juan Manuel Fangio, but I've never seen it.

Thanks.

I seem to remember allegations that he was quite the number 1 driver: taking spare cars, etc. Unless I am thinking of another legend.

Fantastic story about the photographers. Cheers.

[Kiwi Nick]

This is a really great video. In 1958, George Walther, the father of 2 of my high school classmates, offered Fangio $20,000 to drive his car at the Indy 500. $20,000 was a bunch of money in 1958, but Fangio was the reigning World Champion so he could command that sort of appearance money. He was coming off of one of the best seasons ever. In 1957 he had driven a Maserati 250F to four wins and two second place finishes in seven races.

I remember that there was lost of attention paid to Fangio. But, he never got close to qualifying speed and left Indy in something of a huff. The car was eventually raced by Mike McGill who qualified 31st and finished 17th, right behind A.J.Foyt. Fangio only raced one more Grand Prix after missing out at Indy.

One stat that I find amazing is that Fangio delivered a World Championship for everyone of the four different makes that he drove for in F1. Alfa Romeo, Mercedes (twice), Ferrari/Lancia, and Maserati.

[REDARMYSOJA]

Thanks.

I seem to remember allegations that he was quite the number 1 driver: taking spare cars, etc. Unless I am thinking of another legend.

No doubt he was the ultimate number one driver, but it was usually more the idea of the team than Fangio. Teams would sometimes, after practice or qualifying, switch numbers on the car to give the better one to Fangio. But it was common and accepted knowledge in those days that if a team wanted to win the world championship, then all they needed to do was sign Fangio, so one could hardly blame them.

It did cause some problems during Fangio's time at Ferrari. Fangio was the first Ferrari driver with an agent and Enzo did not care much for that. The Ferrari way was to have the mechanics work on all the cars and the drivers got whichever one they were assigned. However Fangio was used to being at teams where the cars had their own assigned crew of mechanics that only worked on the car of one particular driver, so Fangio demanded the same at Ferrari. Ferrari finally relented and gave Fangio his own mechanics, and Fangio immediately scored three straight wins, so it is hard to argue with results.

And there is still controversy over whether or not Collins willingly gave his car to Fangio at the Italian GP, which then allowed Fangio to win the championship, but Collins never really commented on it and didn't seem to care. It was not am amiable parting when Fangio left Ferrari, with Enzo accusing him of always trying to make sure he would be in the best car for the coming season. There was some back and forth between Fangio and Enzo, with Fangio calling Enzo a "hard man", but they eventually made amends, no doubt through mutual respect and were quite friendly with each other from then on.

No one would know better about being number two to Fangio than Sir Stirling Moss, and Moss has nothing but wonderful things to say about Fangio, insisting Fangio was of the highest character and said running second to Fangio was the best place to learn how to drive a car at the top level. Many, including Moss, are convinced Fangio allowed Moss to win at the British GP, but Fangio always denied it.

So yeah, Fangio was a number one driver but probably deserved that treatment moreso than any other, especially during his time. It was just the smart thing to do.

[Rishu]

Great insight into history. Thanks Red!