Achille Varzi

The son of a wealthy cotton producer , Achille Varzi (1904-1948) began by racing motorcycles, having been introduced to it by his father. Considered to be Tazio Nuvolari’s greatest rival and one of the best drivers of the interwar period, he notably won the Targa Florio in 1930 and the Mille Miglia. He had a rich career, notably with Bugatti, Alfa Romeo and Maserati, before falling into drugs.

Weaned from his morphine addiction, he returned to racing after the Second World War and participated in 14 Grand Prix, achieving one victory and three podiums in the European Championship until 1948.

Known for his eternally dark looks and his cigarettes always stuck in his mouth, he unfortunately died in an accident during testing on the Bremgarten circuit at the age of 48… Fangio declared that Varzi was his role model and the man who most influenced his career.