Mike Hawthorn

Mike Hawthorn (Ferrari) became the 1958 Formula One World Champion (picture-above). This 1958 season is often regarded as one of the more unjust World Championship results, although everyone agrees, Hawthorn was a great driver.

Although Stirling Moss won four races for Vanwall, he was denied the championship once again in a final-round decider in Casablanca (picture below). Countryman Mike Hawthorn only won once but he snatched the title by a single point and immediately announced his retirement from the sport.

“The question why did you retire is a much nicer one than why don’t you retire.” once declared Mike Hawthorn.

Sadly, Hawthorn would die in a road accident outside Guildford within months of his greatest triumph.