Juan-Manuel Fangio, El Maestro

Juan-Manuel Fangio was born on this day, 24th of June, in 1911. El Maestro, as he was called, was an Argentine racing driver and a legend of the sport. He dominated the first decade of Formula One racing, winning the World Drivers’ Championship no less than 5 times.

Fangio: “In this sport, you must always strive to be the best, but you must never believe that you are…” Remember these were dangerous times in motor racing.

In 1957, the Argentinian ace returned to Maserati, who were still using the pretty and efficient 250F which Fangio had driven at the start of 1954. The Maestro started the season with a hat-trick of wins in Argentina, Monaco (picture) and France. He later won the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring in legendary fashion, and captured his fifth world title.

In Formula One he raced for Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Mercedes and Ferrari and won the championship in 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957. Juan-Manuel Fangio won 24 Grand Prix in 51 starts, 35 podiums, 29 pole positions, and 23 fastest laps.