Fangio

Juan Manuel Fangio, commonly known as Fangio, was an Argentine racing driver who dominated the early era of the Formula One World Championship. Born on June 24, 1911, in Balcarce, Argentina, he began racing in local events in the 1930s and rose to international prominence after moving to Europe to compete in the inaugural World Championship season in 1950.

Over his career he drove for several manufacturers, including Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, and Ferrari. He won the Formula One World Championship five times: 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, and 1957. He accumulated 24 World Championship race victories, one of the highest tallies in the sport’s history, and became a benchmark for consistency and car control during a period of rapid technical change and high risk.

Fangio was noted for his smooth driving style, measured temperament, and ability to extract maximum performance from different machines. His adaptability helped him succeed across multiple teams and configurations, making him a defining figure in the post‑war development of Formula One racing.

His successes contributed to Argentina’s sporting prestige and left a lasting impact on motor sport, where he is widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers of all time.

Fangio died on July 17, 1995, in Buenos Aires at the age of 84. His legacy endures in the sport and in Argentine motorsport history.