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There are few drivers in the history of Grand Prix racing that can be mentioned
in the same breath as the legendary Juan Manuel Fangio. Though his
short, stocky frame, reserved mannerisms and high pitched voice did contributed
to a rather unassuming appearance, they were equaled by steel blue eyes and a
dominant nose which screamed bird of prey. Furthermore, his
killer-instinct driving style was balanced by a quiet, self-effacing demeanor
outside the car that was greatly admired by his fellow racers. Luckily
enough, his immaculate career began at the most opportune time, directly after
the second world war when Grand Prix racing was re-emerging in popularity, and
before its conclusion in 1958 he would be looked at around the world as the
epitome of a sporting champion.
He first came
to Europe in 1948 after the star of the day,
Jean-Pierre
Wimille, saw him while in Argentina and passed the word of his talent
on to the Grand Prix teams. The Argentinean government sponsored his first
trip to Europe, and by 1949 he was a regular winner; taking wins in the San Remo
GP, Pau GP, and Albi GP to the astonishment of the Europeans. By the start
of the Formula 1 World Championship in 1950 he was at the top of his game at
Alfa Romeo
and truly the man to beat. He was runner up to
Nino Farina in 1950, then took the title the
following year. He joined Maserati in 1953 when Alfa Romeo left Grand Prix
racing, yet was at a disadvantage to Ferrari due to rule changes, and
Alberto Ascari duly won
in 1952 and 1953. Fangio stayed with Maserati for the start of the 1954
season, then switched to
Mercedes-Benz two races in, and promptly won the championship with
them. The next three years were all his, winning with Mercedes the next
year, Ferrari
in 1956, and Maserati
in 1957. This year saw his most famous win in one of the greatest Grand
Prix of all time, the 1957 German Grand Prix at Nurburgring, where he came from
over a minute adrift to win. By the end of his career he would rack up an
unmatched five World Championships, and amazingly won over 47% of the races he
entered - by far the highest winning percentage in history.
In 1958 he and Maserati had a difference of
opinion over the safety of their cars, and he abruptly retired from racing half
way through the season, never to return. Intelligent, decisive changes of
teams would be a defining characteristic of his career, as his championships
over a relatively short period of time were attained with four different teams,
unlike the similarly talented Stirling
Moss who was overly nationalistic in his team selection, therein
never giving him the chance to win. Even so, one must concede that his
stature as a driver was beyond that of any other driver of his time.
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