Juan Manuel Fangio’s 106th birth anniversary: 8 facts you must know about the legend!
For many Juan Manuel Fangio is the greatest racing driver there has ever been, and on the occasion of his 106th birth anniversary, we bring you 8 facts about the Argentine Maestro.
Fangio’s first love was football. He also received an offer to play at a Argentinian club based in Mal der Plata.
At the age of 21, he served as personal chauffeur of his commanding officer in the military.
Fangio was one of the 22 drivers who took part in the first ever Formula 1 World Championship. Alongside Giuseppe Farina and Luigi Fagioli, he raced for Alfa Romeo and made his debut at the age of 39.
He won almost 50% of the races he participated in, the best winning percentage in the history, and secured pole positions in 55% of them.
At the time when cars were unreliable, streets were unsafe and fatal accidents were common, Fangio won 5 F1 championships in 8 seasons with 4 different teams.
It might sound shocking, but Fangio finished either 1st or 2nd in every season he completed.
The Argentine won his 5th and last championship at he age of 46, which makes him the oldest world champion.
In 1958 during a non Formula 1 event in Cuba, Fangio was kidnapped. The captors were against the event and by capturing the biggest name in Motorsport they wanted publicize their cause. Fangio was released after 29 hours.
After retiring at the age of 47, Fangio was appointed as the president of Mercedes Benz Argentina. He died at the age of 84 due to Kidney failure and Pneumonia.
